New Delhi: As a video footage of a hard-core pornographic clip showing on a giant screen at the busy Rajiv Chowk Metro station in Delhi went viral on Saturday, the DMRC was left red-faced.
Initially, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) claimed it was "unaware" of the clip that was run at the Metro station in the heart of the national capital, and put the onus on a private contractor entrusted with installing the screen meant for displaying advertisements.
The 25-second clip -- widely shared on social networks and shown on news channels by blurring the images -- shows the porn clip playing on the screen as commuters pass by in usual hurry though some are seen stopping to record it on their mobile phones.
"The DMRC is not aware of this clip. However, this LED screen was under commissioning and testing by a private contractor and the same is still under commissioning. The work is still not completed," Delhi Metro spokesperson Anuj Dayal said in a statement.
"We will check all the details of the testing and commissioning process of the contractor to establish whether any such clip was played and take adequate safeguards and action," he added.
Another statement was issued late in the evening, wherein Dayal said that from preliminary investigation it was established that the incident occurred around 5 PM on April 9.
"The LED TV (smart TV with multiple features) system was under commissioning and Wi-Fi port was accessible. Prima facie, as per CCTV footage, three men have run the porn clip through their mobile on this screen at Rajiv Chowk station. Attempts are being made to identify these men. CCTV footage is under examination to identify the culprits," he added.
"This sort of interference with the system will not be possible in future once the software is programmed and centrally controlled. In the interim, during the commissioning process itself, the contractor will be advised to ensure password protection," the Delhi Metro official added.
The incident attracted hilarious reactions on Twitter:
Election commission challenge hacker to tamper EVM ,now they are in Delhi & start their activities from Rajiv Chowk pic.twitter.com/3xCu6qMAUl
— Makhmoor Shakir (@Makhmoorshakir) April 15, 2017
Embarsment for #delhimetro some1 playd XXX vdo on the platform screen at #RajivChowk today. Anything unexpected is expected. pic.twitter.com/80SSLqa54g
— Jayvijay Sachan (@JayvijaySachan) April 15, 2017
1. Kid Hackers - SM accounts
— Rohit Gangwar (@09_rkg) April 15, 2017
2. Adult Hackers - Bank Accounts
3.Legend Hacker - Rajiv Chowk Metro Station (with One of 10 Hacking tricks)
Yo Rajiv Chowk Delhi Metro is so progressive for showing XXX movie#delhimetro pic.twitter.com/E0o2RNpaf9
— Bhole Vishwakarma (@bholenath) April 15, 2017
Some even targeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Now Mr.Kejri cn say that we didn't provide free WiFi to Delhi bcoz #RajivChowk pe jo hua wo Delhi k sarei Metro screen pe hone lage ga
— Ashish Giri (@ashishgiri19) April 15, 2017
The video at rajiv chowk is nothing but personification of what Modi is doing to India.
— Kanika (@nskathy) April 15, 2017
A similar incident took place at a bus stand in Kerela's Wayanad district in June 2015.
