Bihar Politicians Clash Over Jamui Minor Molestation Case

A political confrontation has erupted in Bihar following the September 19 molestation of a Class 10 girl and the assault of her male companion in the Jamui district. The incident, which occurred near the Jamui-Lakhisarai border as the students returned from coaching, gained public attention after a video showing the girl being groped and dragged circulated on social media.

Tejashwi Yadav, the Bihar Assembly Leader of Opposition, condemned the event as a blot on the state and alleged that a state of lawlessness, or goonda raj, has taken hold. Yadav further accused Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary of attempting to fabricate a caste-based narrative in the investigation to frame specific communities. Rahul Gandhi also criticized the government for safety failures, describing the footage as deeply disturbing.

In response, the Jamui Police registered an FIR under the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, arresting three individuals, including two minors. A Special Investigation Team has been formed to identify seven to eight additional suspects. The National Commission for Women and the Bihar State Women’s Commission have both intervened to demand an impartial and strict investigation.

Ruling alliance leaders defended the administration. JD(U) state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha characterized the attack as an isolated and minor incident, urging critics to recall the state's law-and-order condition prior to 2005. Shravan Kumar, the Rural Development Minister, similarly described the event as a sporadic incident. Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Kuntal Krishna asserted that the police would ensure no culprit is spared.