Jharkhand minister criticises Bihar government after alleged harassment of two minors; police form SIT and arrest suspects
Ranchi, September 23. (SDNA) — The alleged harassment and assault of two minor students in Bihar’s Jamui district has triggered a political controversy, with Jharkhand minister Irfan Ansari raising questions over the safety of women and girls in the state.
Reacting to the incident, Ansari criticised the Bihar government and said that the safety of women, girls and families should be a priority for the administration. He also appealed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to work towards “saving Bihar from the BJP”, making the Jamui episode part of the wider political debate over law and order in the state.
Incident reported on September 19
According to police and media reports, the incident took place on the evening of September 19 in the Jamui area. A minor boy and girl, who had reportedly gone to a coaching class, were intercepted by a group while returning from the Marwa/Mawara Hill area.
Videos purportedly showing the two teenagers being surrounded and allegedly harassed subsequently surfaced on social media. Police took suo motu cognisance of the footage and registered a case under relevant provisions, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The incident reportedly involved physical assault of the boy and alleged sexual harassment of the girl. Authorities have been examining the video footage and other available evidence as part of the investigation.
SIT constituted, arrests made
Jamui Police constituted a Special Investigation Team to investigate the case and identify all those allegedly involved. Police initially arrested three suspects, while efforts continued to trace other persons identified during the investigation.
Authorities have also taken steps concerning the circulation of videos of the incident on social media. Officials have urged that footage capable of identifying the minor victims should not be circulated further.
The National Commission for Women also took suo motu cognisance of the matter and sought action from the Bihar police, including identification and arrest of those involved and a time-bound investigation.
Political reactions intensify
The incident has become a subject of political debate in Bihar, with opposition leaders questioning the government’s handling of law and order and the safety of women and minors.
Ansari’s remarks come amid growing political exchanges over the episode. Opposition leaders have demanded strict legal action against the accused, while representatives of the ruling side have pointed to the police investigation and arrests as evidence of action being taken.
The controversy has therefore developed on two parallel fronts—legal proceedings against those accused in the Jamui case and a broader political debate over women’s safety and law enforcement in Bihar.
Investigation remains underway
The police investigation is continuing, with authorities examining the available video evidence and working to establish the complete sequence of events. The identities and roles of all suspects will be determined through the ongoing investigation and legal process.
As the case proceeds, the focus remains on identifying all those allegedly involved, ensuring due legal action and protecting the privacy of the minor victims.