New Delhi, September 2026 : Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday condemned the alleged harassment and molestation of two Class 10 students in Bihar’s Jamui district and questioned the delay in taking action against those involved. He also raised concerns over the safety of girls and women travelling on public roads.
In a post on X, Gandhi described the video purportedly showing the incident as “deeply disturbing”. He alleged that the two students were stopped on a road, harassed and humiliated, while the girl was subjected to inappropriate physical contact and dragged by members of the group.
Gandhi questioned what he described as an attempt to justify such behaviour in the name of culture. He said the incident reflected a patriarchal mindset in which men sought to control a girl’s movement and choices. He also criticised what he called the normalisation of such attitudes by “Andhbhakts”.
Gandhi demanded that everyone involved in the incident be identified and prosecuted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He also questioned why arrests had not been made earlier if the incident occurred on September 19.
“Why is a girl not safe on a public road at 7 pm?” Gandhi asked, while seeking an explanation from the Bihar government.
The incident came to light after videos purportedly showing the harassment of a minor boy and girl surfaced on social media. According to police, the two Class 10 students, who are residents of Jamui town, had reportedly gone to the Marwa Pahad area after attending coaching classes and were returning on a two-wheeler when a group of youths allegedly stopped them.
The videos reportedly show the group surrounding the girl and subjecting her to inappropriate behaviour. The boy accompanying her was also allegedly assaulted when he intervened. The footage was subsequently circulated on social media.
Police said the incident took place on the evening of September 19 under the Jamui Sadar police station area, close to the Jamui-Lakhisarai border. The precise circumstances of the incident are being investigated.
Following the circulation of the videos, Jamui Police registered an FIR and launched an investigation. Police have identified around seven people allegedly involved in the incident and arrested three suspects, while efforts are continuing to apprehend others.
A Special Investigation Team headed by a woman police officer has also been constituted to investigate the case. Police said the FIR includes provisions of the POCSO Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Jamui Superintendent of Police Bishwajeet Dayal said police took cognisance of the matter after the videos surfaced online. He said the victims were traced and their statements recorded, while raids were being conducted to arrest the remaining suspects.
The case has triggered widespread concern and political reactions, particularly over the safety of minors and women in public spaces. The National Commission for Women has also taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and sought action against those responsible.
Police are continuing to examine the video footage, establish the sequence of events and determine the role of each person allegedly involved. The authenticity of specific details visible in the circulating footage and the full circumstances surrounding the incident remain subject to the ongoing investigation.
