Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has condemned the alleged harassment of two Class 10 students in Bihar’s Jamui district and called for swift legal action against those allegedly responsible.
The incident reportedly took place on September 19 in the Jamui Sadar police station area. According to police and media reports, a teenage boy and girl, both Class 10 students, had attended coaching classes and were returning on a two wheeler when they were allegedly stopped by a group of people.
Videos of the incident later circulated widely on social media, prompting public concern and political reactions. The footage reportedly shows a group surrounding the two students and allegedly subjecting them to harassment and inappropriate physical contact. The details of the incident are part of the ongoing police investigation.
Jamui Police took suo motu cognisance of the videos after they appeared online and identified the students. An FIR was subsequently registered under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and other applicable laws.
Police have also constituted a Special Investigation Team to investigate the incident and identify everyone allegedly involved. According to police information reported on September 21, three suspects had been arrested, while raids and further investigation were continuing to locate other suspects.
The police investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, the identities and roles of those allegedly involved and the circulation of the video on social media.
Authorities have also warned against sharing videos that reveal the identities or faces of minors involved in such cases. Under laws protecting children, the identity of victims of sexual offences must not be disclosed. Police have reportedly begun action concerning social media accounts that circulated the video.
The incident has also become a subject of political debate in Bihar. Rahul Gandhi criticised the alleged incident and questioned the state government over the safety of women and children in public places.
In a social media post, Gandhi called for those identified in the video to face action under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. He also questioned why arrests had not taken place immediately after the alleged incident and sought an explanation from the Bihar government regarding the safety of girls on public roads. These statements represent Gandhi’s political response to the incident.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the incident and called for strict punishment for those found responsible. Kharge linked the incident to his criticism of the BJP-led Bihar government and raised broader questions about women’s safety and accountability.
Kharge’s comments were made in the context of the ongoing political debate between the Congress and the BJP. His statements represent the Congress party’s position on the incident and the government’s handling of law and order.
The Bihar government and law enforcement authorities are dealing with the matter through the ongoing investigation. The police have said that the accused persons are being identified and that legal proceedings will follow based on the evidence collected.
The incident has also raised concerns about the circulation of videos involving minors. Authorities have emphasised that social media users should not share material that could identify child victims. Such circulation can potentially violate legal protections available to minors involved in sexual offence cases.
The police investigation will determine the precise circumstances of the incident and the role of each person allegedly involved. The arrest of three suspects is an ongoing investigative development and does not by itself establish their guilt. Any further allegations will have to be examined through the legal process.
The case has attracted attention because it involves minors and because the alleged incident was recorded and circulated online. It has also prompted political leaders to raise questions about public safety and law enforcement in Bihar.
For news reporting, it is important to distinguish between allegations shown in or associated with the circulated video, statements made by political leaders and facts established through the police investigation or judicial proceedings. The investigation remains ongoing, and further action will depend on evidence collected by the authorities.