Samastipur, Bihar: Samastipur Police have arrested four men after a video surfaced online showing a minor girl being surrounded and molested by a group of men in the Karpurigram police station area of the district. The incident came to light days after a similar case in Bihar's Jamui district sparked nationwide outrage.
In keeping with the law protecting child victims, The Commons Voice is not publishing the video, any image from it, or any detail that could identify the girl or her friend.
What Happened
According to reports, the girl and a friend had stopped near a dam to take photographs when a group of local men approached them. The boy was attacked and ran from the spot, leaving the girl surrounded on the road. The group harassed and molested her as she protested and tried to leave. One of the accused filmed the incident and shared it on social media. The video was reportedly recorded on Tuesday, September 15.
What's Confirmed
Samastipur Police said in a post on X that officers from the Karpurigram police station had arrested all four accused and that further action was being taken. The arrested men are aged between 19 and 46, according to The Week. Police have not yet publicly confirmed which legal sections have been applied in the case.
Context: The Jamui Case
The Samastipur incident follows a case in Jamui district on September 19, in which a teenage girl was sexually assaulted and her male friend beaten by a group of men, also on camera. That case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and police have begun action against dozens of social media accounts for circulating footage in which the teenagers could be identified.
The two incidents have led to sharp political exchanges in the state. Opposition parties have criticised the government's handling of crimes against women and girls, while state leaders have said strict action will be taken against those responsible.
A Note to Readers
Under Indian law, sharing videos or images that identify a child victim of a sexual offence is punishable. If you come across such content, do not forward it. Report it to the platform and to the police. For help in cases involving children, contact the child helpline at 1098.
Sources
Samastipur Police (statement on X), The Week, Daily Jagran, NDTV; BBC reporting on the Jamui case.
Latest Development
As of September 24, all four accused are in custody and further action is under way. This story will be updated as police release more details.