Bihar Horror Shakes The Nation: Minor Girl Harassed On Public Road

A video of a minor girl and her male friend being harassed and allegedly molested by a group of men in Bihar has gone viral on social media. The girl and her friend were returning from a hillside area after attending a coaching class when a group of six to seven men stopped them on the road and allegedly assaulted them. The incident was recorded on video and later widely circulated on social media. The video triggered severe criticism from opposition parties and several netizens.

The incident took place on the evening of September 19 on the Jamui-Lakhisarai road under Jamui Police Station limits. Police registered an FIR on September 20. Six to seven people seen in the video have been taken into custody, while two have been arrested. Police said some of those arrested are minors. The remaining suspects are being identified with the help of the video, and more arrests are expected.

Jamui SP Vishwajit Dayal said police took suo motu action after the video surfaced. The accused have been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to assaulting a woman with the intention of outraging her modesty and using criminal force with the intention of disrobing her. Charges have also been filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

A Special Investigation Team has been formed to investigate the case. The Bihar State Commission for Women has also taken suo motu cognisance of the incident. Commission chairperson Apsara said she had spoken to Jamui officials and that strict action would be taken against everyone found involved.

Meanwhile, the horrific incident has triggered a political row in Bihar, with opposition RJD leaders questioning the government over the incident. Leaders of the ruling BJP and JD(U)-led National Democratic Alliance have responded to the criticism.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also reacted to the viral video, describing the incident as “deeply disturbing” and questioning why the suspects had not been arrested earlier. He also questioned why a girl was not safe on a public road at around 7 pm.

Responding to the opposition’s criticism, Bihar BJP spokesperson Kuntal Kumar said all those found involved would be sent to jail and that a speedy trial would be conducted. He said nobody would be spared and that the local police were carrying out a serious investigation.