Three people have been arrested after a video showing the alleged sexual assault and harassment of a Class 10 girl and her male friend surfaced on social media in Bihar's Jamui district, police said on Monday.
The incident took place on the evening of September 19, when the two teenagers were returning from Mawara Hill on a two-wheeler. Police said a group intercepted them, reportedly claiming to be carrying out ‘moral policing’, before assaulting and harassing the two.
Police launch probe after video surfaces
According to police, one of the suspects allegedly recorded the incident on a mobile phone, and footage later appeared on social media. The video prompted police to begin an inquiry even though no formal complaint had initially been filed by the teenagers.
Jamui superintendent of police Vishwajeet Dayal said the police came across the footage, in which the teenage boy identified himself as a Jamui resident.
The victims later told police that they studied at a local coaching institute and were returning from an outing when they were stopped by the group.
Jamui district magistrate Naveen Kumar directed police to act on the viral footage. Police said most of the suspects seen in the videos have been identified, while two of those allegedly involved are minors.
An FIR has been registered under sections 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
SIT formed to trace remaining suspects
A special investigation team headed by sub-divisional police officer Dipti Monali has been formed to arrest the remaining suspects and investigate the case.
Bihar additional director general (law and order) K S Anupam said three of the seven people allegedly involved had been arrested. Two others have been identified, while efforts are underway to identify the remaining two.
She said the role of the police patrol team was also being examined.
"The incident took place just 3 km from the Jamui town, and it happened between 6.15 pm and 6.30 pm. Action would be taken against police personnel who were on patrol duty at that time," she said.
Political reactions follow
Bihar State Women's Commission chairperson Apsara Sahu said the panel had taken cognisance of the case and would reach out to the teenage girl.
RJD leader Shakti Singh Yadav said, "The way the girl was molested and the shameful incident of the couple getting harassed reflect that law and order has taken a nosedive in the state… The government should be accountable, and the police needs to answer why such incidents are taking place,".
JD(U) spokesperson Nawal Sharma said, "There is rule of law in Bihar, and under no circumstances can Taliban rule or 'mob justice' be allowed on the streets here,” he said.