Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary defends govt response to Jamui, Samastipur crimes
Synopsis
Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary's defence of the government's record on crimes against women in Jamui and Samastipur shifts the accountability lens from prevention to response time — a distinction his critics are unlikely to accept. Adding political texture, his own daughter and Samastipur MP Shambhavi Choudhary publicly condemned the alleged incident, calling for strict punishment.
Key Takeaways
Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary defended the state government's handling of crimes against women in Jamui and Samastipur on 24 September .
Choudhary argued that swift post-incident action, not prevention, is the true measure of a government's performance on law and order.
He stated that the accused's political affiliation would have no bearing on the legal action taken against them.
Arrests were made promptly in both cases, according to the minister.
Shambhavi Choudhary , Samastipur Lok Sabha MP and the minister's daughter, condemned the alleged minor molestation case in Samastipur and demanded strict punishment for the guilty.
Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary on 24 September defended the state government's handling of recent crimes against women in Jamui and Samastipur, arguing that the measure of any administration is how swiftly it acts after an incident is reported — not whether crimes can be prevented altogether. The remarks came amid mounting political pressure over the two cases, which have sparked a sharp debate over law and order in Bihar.
What the Minister Said
Choudhary maintained that no government anywhere in the world can guarantee the complete elimination of crime. 'Such incidents happen everywhere. Don't they happen in America or Japan? America is a much more developed country than us, yet such incidents occur there too. The government does not want to protect any criminal. Whenever such an incident occurs, the full force of the law will be brought into action. This is a tradition established by Nitish Kumar, and we will continue to uphold it,' he stated.
The minister stressed that the defining question is whether the administration responds promptly and holds perpetrators accountable. He asserted that the rule of law prevails in Bihar and warned that anyone taking the law into their own hands would face legal consequences.
No Shelter for Accused Based on Party Affiliation
Choudhary was unequivocal on the issue of political connections. 'Whoever the offender may be, irrespective of the political party they belong to, action will be taken according to the law,' he said. He pointed to the prompt arrests made in both the Jamui and Samastipur cases as evidence that the government's authority remains intact and that no criminal would be shielded.
Samastipur MP Condemns the Incident
Shambhavi Choudhary, the Samastipur Lok Sabha MP and daughter of Minister Ashok Choudhary, separately condemned the alleged incident in Samastipur, in which a minor girl was allegedly molested by a group of youths and the act was reportedly recorded and circulated on social media. She called the matter serious and said there can be no compromise on women's safety.
The MP acknowledged the response of the police and administration and called for strict punishment for those found guilty. She emphasised that perpetrators must fear the law, underlining that accountability is essential to deterring future crimes.
Political Context and What Comes Next
The incidents in Jamui and Samastipur have become flashpoints in Bihar's political discourse, with opposition parties using them to challenge the ruling dispensation's law-and-order record. The government's defence — centring on speed of response rather than prevention — is likely to face continued scrutiny. Notably, the involvement of a sitting minister's daughter as an elected representative in condemning the Samastipur case adds a layer of political complexity to the public debate. How the state courts ultimately dispose of the arrested accused will be the real test of the administration's pledges.
Point of View
Where Bihar's record has historically been weaker. The public appearance of his daughter, MP Shambhavi Choudhary, as a voice of condemnation is politically calculated but does little to address systemic concerns about policing and witness protection in rural Bihar.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary say about the Jamui and Samastipur cases?
Minister Ashok Choudhary defended the state government's response, stating that swift action after an incident — not the prevention of crime — is the true test of governance. He said arrests were made promptly in both cases and that no accused would be protected regardless of political affiliation.
What happened in the Samastipur case?
A minor girl was allegedly molested by a group of youths in Samastipur; the act was reportedly recorded and the video circulated on social media. The police and administration took action following the incident, according to officials.
What did Samastipur MP Shambhavi Choudhary say about the incident?
Shambhavi Choudhary, the Samastipur Lok Sabha MP and daughter of Minister Ashok Choudhary, condemned the alleged incident and called for strict legal punishment for those found guilty. She said there can be no compromise on women's safety.
Will political connections protect the accused in these cases?
Minister Choudhary explicitly stated that no accused would be shielded on the basis of party affiliation, saying action will be taken according to the law irrespective of who the offender belongs to politically.
What is the broader political significance of these incidents?
The Jamui and Samastipur cases have intensified the opposition's challenge to the Nitish Kumar-led government's law-and-order record in Bihar. The government's defence centres on response speed, but critics argue that prevention and conviction rates are the more meaningful benchmarks.
