By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
A horrific incident in Bihar’s Jamui district, in which a group of men allegedly stopped, assaulted and molested two Class 10 students on a public road, has triggered widespread outrage, with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi questioning the safety of women and children in the state.
The incident reportedly took place around 7 pm on September 19, when the boy and girl were returning from coaching classes on a scooter. According to police and reports based on videos circulated on social media, the two were intercepted by a group of men, surrounded and subjected to harassment and physical assault. The boy was allegedly slapped and pulled by his collar, while the girl was subjected to inappropriate molestation and, at one point, was lifted and dragged by one of the men.
Videos of the incident show the teenagers repeatedly pleading with the group to let them go. The footage subsequently went viral, prompting strong public reaction and demands for action against those involved.
Jamui police said an FIR has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other relevant provisions. An SIT has been constituted to investigate the case and identify all those involved. Three people have been arrested, while efforts are continuing to apprehend the remaining suspects.
Rahul Gandhi strongly condemned the incident and questioned why the alleged perpetrators had not been arrested earlier. In a post on X, he described the video as deeply disturbing and said the girl could be seen pleading with folded hands to be allowed to leave.
He demanded that everyone involved be identified and prosecuted under POCSO, and asked the Bihar government why a girl was not safe on a public road at 7 pm. Gandhi characterised the incident as an example of patriarchal behaviour rather than culture.
The incident has also drawn the attention of the Bihar State Women’s Commission, while the National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance and sought action against those responsible.
The episode has brought renewed political focus on women’s and children’s safety in Bihar. Opposition parties have criticised the state government’s handling of law and order, while the police action—including the registration of a POCSO case, constitution of an SIT and arrests—has begun following the circulation of the videos.
The investigation is continuing, with police working to establish the full sequence of events and determine the role of each person seen in the footage.