- Two Class 10 students were allegedly assaulted while returning from coaching in Jamui.
- Police have registered cases under the POCSO and Juvenile Justice Acts.
- Three people, including minors, have been taken into custody, police said.
- Minister Shravan Kumar’s remarks that “petty incidents” occur have triggered political criticism.
GG News Bureau
Patna, 21st Sept: A video showing the alleged molestation of a minor girl on a road in Bihar’s Jamui has triggered outrage and a political confrontation, with the police launching an investigation and the Opposition demanding strict action against those responsible.
According to the police, the incident took place on September 19 when two Class 10 students were returning from coaching classes. A group of men allegedly stopped the students, assaulted the boy and molested the girl. Police said a Special Investigation Team has been conducting raids to apprehend those involved.
Three people, including minors, have so far been taken into custody. Cases have been registered under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Juvenile Justice Act, according to the police.
The incident also triggered a political row after Bihar minister Shravan Kumar, responding to the Opposition’s allegations of “Jungle Raj”, said that “petty incidents” do occur and that crime has not ended in the world. He also said the government would conduct a thorough investigation and take strict action against the accused.
Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav criticised the government, saying the incident raised serious questions about the safety of women and girls in the state.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the incident as “deeply disturbing” and said those responsible should face stringent legal action. He also criticised what he described as patriarchal attitudes behind crimes against women and girls.
Tej Pratap Yadav, national president of the Janshakti Janata Dal, threatened a hunger strike and protest movement if the government failed to take concrete action.
Meanwhile, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Arun Bharti, who represents Jamui, termed the incident a matter of concern but rejected the Opposition’s claim that it established the existence of “Jungle Raj” in Bihar. He said authorities had acted after the incident came to their attention and efforts were underway to bring the accused to justice.
The investigation remains underway, with police conducting further raids to identify and apprehend other suspects.
