Jamui molestation victim's mother hails Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary as 'guardian'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The mother of the Jamui molestation victim, after meeting Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday, 26 September 2026, said the family had received considerable support from the administration and that the chief minister's conduct felt more like that of a family guardian than a head of government.
What the Family Said
Speaking to reporters, the victim's mother described the encounter warmly. 'When he met us, it did not feel like he was the Chief Minister of Bihar; he met us like a guardian. He blessed my daughter and said, "You are a very brave girl." He also said, "If you ever need anything, come to me without hesitation,"' she said.
She added that Choudhary had given assurances covering the minor's education, studies, and safety. She also praised the speed of the official response, noting that action — including, reportedly, an encounter — was taken quickly after the incident came to light.
'Society has also given us a lot of support. We would like society, the people of Jamui, the people of Bihar and the people of the country to support every daughter in the same way they have supported my daughter, so that no daughter or her family ever hesitates to seek punishment for a criminal,' she said.
The Photograph Controversy
The meeting, however, was followed by significant controversy. A photograph that allegedly showed the minor victim's face alongside her family members was shared on the Chief Minister's official social media handle, triggering widespread public outrage.
Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and related statutes, the disclosure of a minor victim's identity is prohibited. The circulation of the image was widely condemned as a violation of the child's privacy and dignity.
FIR Against CMO Employee
Following the backlash, an FIR was registered at the Secretariat Police Station against an employee of the Bihar Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in connection with the posting of the photograph. The complaint stated that the image's circulation 'affected the privacy and dignity of the minor victim and her family' and created conditions under which the victim's identity could be disclosed.
Broader Context
The Jamui molestation case drew national attention after reports emerged of the crime and its handling. The district administration's swift response and the reported encounter have been cited as signs of prompt action, while the photograph controversy has simultaneously raised questions about institutional sensitivity toward survivors of sexual violence. This incident comes amid a broader national debate on the protection of minor victims' identities in high-profile cases, and highlights the tension between political visibility and legal obligations toward vulnerable individuals.
The Bihar government is expected to take further administrative action in the matter, even as the family has appealed to society at large to stand behind survivors of such crimes.