Tejashwi Yadav targets Shambhavi Choudhary over Samastipur molestation post
Synopsis
Tejashwi Yadav has accused Samastipur MP Shambhavi Choudhary of cropping accused names from a police press release on a minor's alleged molestation — calling it a deliberate caste-driven cover-up. With four arrests made and a viral video triggering outrage, the incident has become a flashpoint in Bihar's already charged political landscape.
Key Takeaways
Tejashwi Yadav accused Samastipur MP Shambhavi Choudhary of deliberately removing accused names from a Bihar Police press release before sharing it on social media.
Yadav alleged the move was aimed at concealing the identities and castes of the accused, and amounted to 'indirectly protecting' them.
Samastipur Police have arrested four persons — Rahul Kumar Paswan , Awadhesh Paswan , Vikas Kumar/Vikas Sharma , and Rambabu Sahani — in connection with the alleged molestation.
The case came to light after a video of the alleged incident circulated on social media; police have appealed against sharing content that could identify the minor.
Yadav also questioned the Bihar government 's broader law-and-order record, calling the incident 'completely shameful' and demanding a clear prevention road map.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National Working President and Bihar Assembly Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on 24 September 2026 sharply criticised Samastipur Lok Sabha MP Shambhavi Choudhary of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), accusing her of deliberately cropping the names of accused persons from a Bihar Police press release before sharing a post about an alleged molestation of a minor girl in her constituency.
The Allegation Against Shambhavi Choudhary
Choudhary had shared a post on her official social media account about the incident without naming any of the accused. Yadav, in a post on his official X handle, alleged that this was not an oversight but a calculated move to conceal the identities and castes of the accused. He accused the MP of 'indirectly protecting the hooligans' instead of standing with the minor victim.
'Obviously, a woman MP, instead of taking the side of the victim minor girl, is indirectly protecting the hooligans. Now, in such a situation, what will you say? Will this government and its architects stop such rapes and crimes?' Yadav said.
The Samastipur Incident and Arrests
Samastipur Police have arrested four persons in connection with the alleged molestation — identified as Rahul Kumar Paswan, Awadhesh Paswan, Vikas Kumar (also referred to as Vikas Sharma), and Rambabu Sahani. All four were taken into custody after a video purportedly showing the girl being harassed by a group of men surfaced and circulated on social media. Police registered a case and initiated further investigation. Authorities have also appealed to media organisations and social media users not to share content that could reveal the minor's identity.
Tejashwi's Broader Critique of the Bihar Government
Yadav broadened his attack beyond Choudhary, questioning the Bihar government's overall preparedness on law and order. He described the Samastipur incident as 'completely shameful' and alleged that such cases were being reported from across the state.
'It is happening everywhere. Is there any district in Bihar where such incidents are not taking place? But this is completely shameful,' he said. He also demanded the government explain its road map to prevent similar crimes, asking: 'What action will the police take? What is their vision? What is their road map to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future?'
Yadav further alleged that those in power were more focused on holding office than addressing security concerns: 'There is no preparation. They have got the chair and just want to remain seated in it.'
Political Dimension and Sarcastic Jab
Yadav took a pointed swipe at Choudhary's political lineage, sarcastically suggesting she could be 'publicly honoured' by her father, Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary, and LJP (Ram Vilas) president and Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan, for shielding the identities of the accused. The remark underscores the RJD's effort to frame the episode as emblematic of the ruling National Democratic Alliance's handling — or alleged mishandling — of gender-based crime in Bihar.
What Happens Next
Police investigation into the Samastipur molestation case is ongoing, with four accused in custody. The political row over Choudhary's social media post is likely to intensify as opposition parties amplify the incident ahead of local political engagements. Whether the MP or the government formally respond to Yadav's accusations will be closely watched.
Point of View
And an allegation that an LJP MP shielded accused by hiding their names fits neatly into that frame. What mainstream coverage underplays is the structural issue: this is not the first time a Bihar crime has triggered a social-media cropping controversy, and the real question is why police press releases — public documents — are being intermediated through MP handles at all. Choudhary's silence or response will signal whether the NDA in Bihar is prepared to engage on gender-based crime accountability, or retreat into factional defensiveness.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Tejashwi Yadav accuse Shambhavi Choudhary of doing?
Yadav accused Choudhary of deliberately cropping the names of the accused from a Bihar Police press release before posting about the Samastipur molestation case on social media. He alleged this was done to conceal the identities and castes of the accused, amounting to indirect protection of the perpetrators.
What happened in the Samastipur molestation case?
A video allegedly showing a minor girl being harassed by a group of men circulated on social media in Samastipur, Bihar. Police registered a case and arrested four accused — Rahul Kumar Paswan, Awadhesh Paswan, Vikas Kumar/Vikas Sharma, and Rambabu Sahani — after the video came to their notice.
Who are the four arrested in the Samastipur case?
Samastipur Police identified the four arrested persons as Rahul Kumar Paswan, Awadhesh Paswan, Vikas Kumar (also referred to as Vikas Sharma), and Rambabu Sahani. All were taken into custody following the circulation of a video purportedly showing the alleged incident.
Why is the Bihar government being criticised over the Samastipur incident?
Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav has criticised the Bihar government for what he described as a lack of preparedness on law and order, saying such incidents are being reported from across the state. He questioned whether the government has any road map to prevent similar crimes and accused those in power of prioritising political survival over public safety.
What is Shambhavi Choudhary's political background?
Shambhavi Choudhary is the Lok Sabha MP from Samastipur and a member of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). She is the daughter of Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary. LJP (Ram Vilas) is led by Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan and is part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance in Bihar.
