Jamui: Three people have been arrested and a search is underway for four others after a video purportedly showing a teenage boy and girl being stopped and harassed by a group in Bihar’s Jamui went viral on social media.

The incident took place on the evening of September 19 but came to light publicly on September 21 after videos of the alleged harassment surfaced online. Police said the two teenagers were returning after attending coaching classes when they were allegedly stopped by a group of people.

Jamui Superintendent of Police Bishwajeet Dayal said an FIR has been registered and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Deepti Monali has been formed to investigate the case and identify all those involved.

Police identify seven people

According to the SP, the victims had not approached police immediately after the incident. Police traced them after the video went viral, using the registration number of a vehicle visible in the footage.

Dayal said the FIR initially did not name any of the alleged perpetrators, but police identified around seven people with the help of the video. Three have since been arrested, while raids are being conducted to locate the remaining suspects.

Police said the incident occurred at around 7 pm on September 19. The two teenagers, who are reportedly Class 10 students, had gone to the area after coaching classes to take photographs before the alleged confrontation took place.

The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Bihar Police officials have also said action is being initiated to prevent further circulation of the video.

SIT formed to investigate case

The SIT is being led by SDPO Deepti Monali, with the investigation focused on identifying and arresting the remaining suspects and establishing the circumstances of the incident.

Police have used the viral footage as an important part of the investigation. Authorities have also recorded statements from the two teenagers after tracing them.

Officials have not publicly disclosed the identities of the minors, in keeping with protections applicable to child victims in such cases.

The police action followed widespread attention after the videos appeared on social media. Authorities have urged against further sharing of material that could compromise the privacy of the victims.

NCW takes suo motu cognisance

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and written to the Bihar Director General of Police seeking immediate action.

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar called for identification and arrest of those allegedly involved, along with a time-bound and impartial investigation. The commission has also sought a detailed Action Taken Report from the Bihar DGP within seven days.

The commission said its intervention followed reports and videos alleging public harassment, assault and forcible restraint involving the teenage girl and her male companion.

The NCW has also called for steps to stop further circulation of the video and protect the privacy and dignity of the victims.

Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav react

The incident has also triggered a political response in Bihar.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi described the incident as “deeply disturbing” and questioned the safety of girls on public roads. He called for those identified in the video to face action under POCSO and criticised what he described as the normalisation of such behaviour.

RJD leader and Bihar Assembly Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav also criticised the state government over the incident. He questioned the administration’s handling of women’s safety and targeted Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and the ruling establishment in his remarks.

The political reactions have come as the police investigation remains underway. The allegations made by political leaders about governance and law and order are their stated views and are separate from the facts being established by the investigation.

Probe continues

With three arrests made, police are continuing efforts to locate the four other people identified in connection with the incident.

The investigation will determine the individual roles of those accused and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged harassment. The registration of an FIR and arrests are part of the ongoing criminal investigation and do not by themselves establish guilt.

Authorities are also pursuing steps to restrict further circulation of the video, particularly because it involves minors and raises concerns over their privacy.