Chirag Paswan demands encounter for Samastipur minor molestation accused
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Thursday, 24 September 2026 condemned a molestation case involving a minor girl from Samastipur, Bihar, calling for stringent legal action against all accused — including a police encounter — in remarks that drew comparisons to an earlier incident in Jamui. Police had already arrested four accused within roughly six hours of learning about the video that surfaced on social media.
What the Video Shows and How Police Responded
A video allegedly depicting the molestation of a minor came to the attention of authorities during routine social media monitoring on the evening of 23 September. After technical examination, investigators traced the location to an embankment road near Jagatsinghpur village under the Karpurigram police station area. Police said the incident had reportedly taken place on 15 September, though exact circumstances were initially being verified.
Because the identity of the girl could not be immediately established, a case was registered at Karpurigram police station on 24 September on the basis of a police official's statement. The four accused — Vikas Sharma, Rahul Kumar Paswan, Rambabu Sahani, and Awadhesh Paswan — were identified and arrested within approximately six hours of authorities receiving information about the incident.
Charges Filed Against the Accused
A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Information Technology Act. Police have appealed to the public to refrain from circulating the video or any material that could reveal the identity of the girl, who is prima facie believed to be a minor. Further investigation is underway.
Chirag Paswan's Remarks and Demand for Encounter
Describing the incident as 'shameful and unfortunate', Chirag Paswan — leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and a Union Minister in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government — said the case raises serious questions about law and order and administrative accountability. He expressed concern over what he called the growing boldness of criminals and urged authorities to identify every person involved and pursue the strictest possible legal course.
Paswan went further by calling for the accused in the Samastipur case to face a police encounter, citing the police action against an accused in the earlier Jamui molestation case as a precedent. He argued that such measures would reinforce the fear of the law among would-be offenders. His remarks on extrajudicial action are likely to draw scrutiny, given ongoing legal and judicial debates around encounter killings in India.
Context: A Second Bihar Case in Days
This incident follows a similar alleged molestation case that came to light from Jamui in Bihar only days earlier, prompting questions about the state's broader law and order situation. Bihar has faced periodic criticism over crimes against women and children, and the back-to-back surfacing of such videos on social media has intensified pressure on the state administration. Notably, it is not yet confirmed whether the Jamui and Samastipur incidents are linked in any way.