Jamui molestation case: Prime accused, another arrested after police encounter
So far, five of the perpetrators, who assaulted two teenagers in Bihar’s Jamui, have been arrested while the hunt is on to find the rest
Nandan Yadav, the prime accused in the molestation and assault of a minor girl in Bihar’s Jamui, was arrested following an encounter with police on Tuesday (September 22).
Police said Yadav was shot in the leg during the encounter. Another accused was also reportedly arrested during the raids, taking the total number of arrests in the case to five. His identity, however, is yet to be ascertained.
3 arrested earlier, SIT formed, raids on
The arrests come amid massive outrage over a video circulating on social media that shows a group of men harassing and assaulting two minors in Jamui district. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday (September 21).
Yadav is reportedly the one with his face covered in the video while assaulting the teens.
Also read: Jamui: Video of roadside harassment of girl and boy sparks outrage; SIT formed, 3 held
Jamui SP Bishwajeet Dayal had earlier said that police have identified around seven perpetrators, of whom three have been arrested. He said a Special Investigating Team (SIT) headed by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Deepti Monali has been set up and raids are being conducted to nab the other accused persons.
"Although the incident is two days old, no complaint was made before us by the boy or the girl till Sunday. Today, when the video went viral, we traced the victims with the help of the registration number of a vehicle visible in the clip", the SP told reporters on Monday.
"An SIT headed by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Deepti Monali has been set up. The accused have not been named by the victims in the FIR lodged at Jamui police station, but we have identified around seven perpetrators with the help of the clip. Three persons have been arrested, and raids are being conducted to nab the others," Dayal said.
FIR filed under POCSO Act
The FIR has been lodged under the POCSO Act and relevant sections of the BNS, and steps have been initiated for the "takedown of the video", PTI quoted the officer as saying.
He said the boy and girl were friends and attended the same coaching institute, but declined to provide further details, saying, "We must keep some information private." The video, which purportedly shows the two being harassed by a group of people, has drawn criticism on social media as well as from political leaders.
Women’s commission seeks detailed report
State Women’s Commission Chairperson Apsara Mishra said a detailed report had been sought from the district administration on the incident, which has triggered criticism of the BJP-led government over the safety of women and girls.
Also read: Bihar minister’s shocker on Jamui molestation: ‘Isolated incidents do take place’
"We have spoken to the Jamui District Magistrate, who told us that the incident took place near the district's border with adjoining Lakhisarai. He also said all the accused have been identified. He has promised to keep us informed about the action taken in this regard," she told PTI.
Rahul holds ‘andhbhakts’ responsible
Meanwhile, the episode triggered a political slugfest, with criticisms coming from several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.
In an angry post on X, Rahul described the incident as "deeply disturbing".
"This is not culture, it is patriarchy," the Congress leader said, alleging that "andhbhakts" were responsible for such attitudes being "normalised".
The Rae Bareli MP demanded that the persons identified in the video be "prosecuted under POCSO" and asked the BJP-led government in the state "why a girl is not safe on a public road".
AAP, RJD take swipe at PM Modi
The Aam Aadmi Party also shared the video clip on its X handle, reminding Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his "beti bachao" slogan and alleging "in your BJP-ruled state of Bihar, a daughter's dignity is being torn to shreds".
RJD working president Tejashwi Yadav, who is the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, blamed the incident on Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary without naming him and referred to him as "nausikhiya" (inept).
Also read: 'How can the state stop a boy and girl from eloping?' SC questions POCSO invocation
Yadav also held Modi "solely responsible" for the "anarchy in Bihar", and alleged that JD(U) president Nitish Kumar, the former chief minister, was "made to pack his bags within four months of getting a fresh mandate by offering doles to the state's women".
TMC calls for strongest punishment
The Trinamool Congress also condemned the incident.
"What gives anyone the right to put their hands on a woman's body, WITHOUT HER CONSENT? Who gave these hooligans the authority to moral-police a young woman and a young man, humiliate them and violate their dignity?", the party said in a post on X.
"The Jamui incident is deeply disturbing. The trauma inflicted on that young woman - and on the young man who was subjected to such humiliation - will not disappear anytime soon. Every person responsible in the incident must face due process and the strongest punishment permitted by law, without delay or political interference," it said.