Patna: Two Class 10 students, a girl and a boy, were allegedly stopped, harassed and groped by a group of men while returning from coaching in Bihar’s Jamui district on September 19. A video of the incident surfaced on social media two days later, prompting police action and sparking a political row over women’s safety and law and order in the State.
According to Jamui Superintendent of Police Vishwajit Dayal, the two students were returning from a coaching class on the Jamui-Lakhisarai road at around 7 p.m. when a group of six to seven men, some of them allegedly masked, stopped them. The incident occurred near a hillside area, and the alleged harassment was captured on video.
The police said neither of the students had initially filed a formal complaint. Following the circulation of the video, the police took suo motu cognisance of the incident and approached the victims. An FIR, numbered 428/2026, was registered at Jamui police station.
Three people have been arrested so far, while others seen in the video were taken into custody. The police said efforts were underway to identify and arrest everyone involved.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) also took suo motu cognisance of the incident. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar directed the Bihar Director General of Police to register an FIR and called for security, legal assistance and psychological counselling for the victims. The commission also urged authorities to take legal steps to prevent further circulation of the objectionable video on social media.
The Bihar State Commission for Women separately took cognisance of the incident. Its chairperson Apsara said she had spoken with Jamui officials and that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
The Bihar government said action was being taken. Rural Works Minister Sunil Kumar said those allegedly involved would be arrested soon. BJP MLA from Jamui and State Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh said the police had acted after the video emerged and expressed confidence that the remaining suspects would also be arrested.
