Jamui minor harassment case: JD-U calls it isolated, RJD demands accountability
Synopsis
A harassment case involving two minor students in Bihar's Jamui district has split the state's political class wide open — the ruling JD-U calls it isolated and points to swift police action, while the RJD says it exposes a law-and-order collapse. With an SIT formed, three minors detained, and 32 social-media accounts taken down, the case is quickly becoming a flashpoint ahead of Bihar's political calendar.
Key Takeaways
Two minor students, including a girl, were allegedly harassed in Jamui district, Bihar , on 19 September 2026 between 6:25 pm and 6:30 pm .
Three minor accused have been taken into custody; police have identified 7–8 youths whose roles are under investigation.
An FIR has been filed under BNSS Sections 128, 74, 75 and POCSO Sections 8 and 12 .
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed, supervised by the Jamui SDPO .
Police have initiated takedown action against 32 social-media accounts — 13 Facebook , 12 Instagram , 7 X (Twitter) — to curb video circulation.
JD-U called the incident isolated; RJD alleged a systemic failure to protect women and girls in Bihar.
Two minor students, including a girl, were allegedly harassed in Bihar's Jamui district on 19 September 2026, triggering a sharp political row between the ruling Janata Dal (United) and the Opposition, even as police confirmed three arrests and the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The incident, which reportedly occurred in a hilly area roughly three kilometres from the Jamui-Lakhisarai main road between 6:25 pm and 6:30 pm, has drawn scrutiny over policing lapses and the circulation of a related video on social media.
What Happened and Where
According to Bihar Police ADG (Law and Order) K.S. Anupam, an FIR has been registered at Jamui police station under Sections 128, 74 and 75 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), along with Sections 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Three minor accused have been taken into custody, two of them reportedly aged between 17 and 18 years. Police have identified approximately seven to eight youths whose alleged roles are under examination, with their criminal histories also being verified.
A Special Investigation Team has been formed to ensure a speedy and impartial probe, supervised by the Jamui SDPO. Authorities are reviewing patrolling arrangements in and around the location to assess whether there was any lapse in policing. The identities of the minor victims are being kept confidential in line with legal requirements.
Crackdown on Video Circulation
The Bihar Police cyber team has initiated takedown action against 32 social-media accounts — including 13 Facebook accounts, 12 Instagram accounts, and seven accounts on X — to prevent further circulation of footage linked to the incident. ADG Anupam warned that sharing material which reveals the identity or face of a minor victim could attract legal action, and appealed to the public not to share or repost the video.
Ruling Party's Defence
JD-U state president Umesh Kushwaha described the incident as isolated, asserting that the government remained sensitive to such matters and that swift action was being taken against those allegedly involved. 'We are sensitive to such isolated incidents when they occur. But look back at the time before 2005, what was Bihar like then? Did anyone even step out of their homes? Today, at least when an incident occurs, the administration acts. Those who committed the crime, no matter how big, will soon be in police custody,' Kushwaha said.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, similarly defended the Bihar Police, contrasting the current law-and-order situation with what he described as a more restrictive past. 'Back then, women were afraid to step out of their homes after sunset, whereas today, they venture out at midnight, 1 AM, 2 AM, and even 4 AM,' Singh remarked.
Opposition's Sharp Attack
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) launched a pointed counter-offensive. RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav alleged that the rule of law was being undermined, questioning the government's ability to protect women and girls. 'Where are the Bihar Police and the Bihar government?' he asked, claiming that the dignity and safety of women were being compromised.
What Comes Next
Investigations are ongoing, with police examining video footage and other evidence to establish the roles of remaining suspects. A review of patrolling protocols in the area is also underway. Given the POCSO charges and the SIT's mandate, a chargesheet is expected once the roles of all identified individuals are conclusively established.
Point of View
Requiring takedowns across 32 accounts, points to a policing gap that went beyond the crime itself. The real accountability question is not whether Bihar is safer than it was two decades ago — it almost certainly is — but whether patrol coverage in semi-rural, hilly terrain near district roads is adequate today. That structural gap, not the political back-and-forth, is what the SIT must confront.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Jamui harassment case in Bihar?
Two minor students, including a girl, were allegedly harassed in a hilly area approximately three kilometres from the Jamui-Lakhisarai main road in Bihar on 19 September 2026 between 6:25 pm and 6:30 pm. An FIR has been filed under BNSS and POCSO provisions, and three minors have been detained so far.
What legal action has been taken in the Jamui case?
Bihar Police registered an FIR under Sections 128, 74 and 75 of the BNSS and Sections 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act. Three minor accused have been taken into custody, and a Special Investigation Team has been constituted under the supervision of the Jamui SDPO.
Why are police taking down social-media accounts linked to the Jamui case?
Authorities say a video related to the incident was being circulated online. Bihar Police's cyber team has initiated takedown action against 32 accounts — including 13 on Facebook, 12 on Instagram, and 7 on X — warning that sharing material revealing the identity or face of a minor victim is a cognisable offence.
How have JD-U and RJD responded to the Jamui incident?
JD-U state president Umesh Kushwaha called it an isolated incident and said the administration was acting swiftly. The RJD launched a sharp attack, with spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav alleging a failure to protect women and girls and questioning the government's law-and-order record.
What is the current status of the investigation?
As of 21 September 2026, three minor accused are in custody and seven to eight additional youths are being investigated. The SIT is examining video footage and other evidence, and police are also reviewing whether there was a lapse in patrolling in the area where the incident occurred.
