NCW takes suo motu cognisance of Jamui molestation case involving two minors
Synopsis
The National Commission for Women stepped in after videos of the alleged molestation and assault of two Bihar minors in Jamui went viral. With NCW chief Vijaya Rahatkar writing directly to the Bihar DGP, three arrests made, and a seven-day deadline for an action report, this case is now under simultaneous scrutiny from both the NCW and the Bihar State Women's Commission.
Key Takeaways
The NCW took suo motu cognisance of the alleged molestation and assault of two minor students in Jamui, Bihar , after videos surfaced on social media.
The incident allegedly occurred on the evening of 19 September 2026 in the Jamui area.
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Bihar DGP directing FIR registration and swift arrests.
Seven people have been named in the case; three have been arrested so far.
Bihar authorities have been asked to submit a detailed Action Taken Report within seven days .
The Bihar State Women's Commission has also taken independent cognisance and sought details from the Jamui District Magistrate.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged harassment, molestation, and assault of two minor students in Bihar's Jamui district, after videos purportedly showing the incident began circulating on social media. The intervention follows an incident reportedly recorded on 19 September 2026, in which a minor boy and girl were allegedly targeted by a group of individuals in the Jamui area.
What the Incident Involved
According to officials, the two victims — a minor boy and a minor girl — were travelling on a scooter when they were allegedly stopped and surrounded by a group of people. The girl was reportedly subjected to inappropriate physical contact, while the boy was physically assaulted. The incident was captured on video and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, prompting widespread concern.
Authorities are maintaining strict confidentiality regarding the identities of the victims, given that both are minors.
NCW Chairperson Directs Action
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Bihar Director General of Police (DGP), directing that a First Information Report (FIR) be registered and all those implicated be identified and arrested on the basis of available video evidence. The Commission has called for a time-bound and impartial investigation, directing authorities to ensure the safety of the victims and provide them with legal assistance and psychological counselling.
The NCW has further urged that legal measures be taken to prevent the continued circulation of the objectionable video on social media. It has sought a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) from Bihar authorities within seven days.
Police Response and Arrests
Following the spread of the videos, Jamui Police initiated an investigation and contacted the two minor victims, recording their statements. An FIR has since been registered. According to reports, seven people have been named in the case and three arrested, while efforts to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects are ongoing.
Jamui Superintendent of Police Vishwajit Dayal confirmed the incident occurred on the evening of 19 September. 'We are examining the videos and other available evidence to establish the individual roles of those involved,' he said.
Bihar State Women's Commission Also Acts
The Bihar State Women's Commission has independently taken cognisance of the matter. Its Chairperson, Apsara, sought details from the Jamui District Magistrate and directed strict action against those found responsible. The District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police have assured the Commission that appropriate action will follow once the investigation is concluded.
What Happens Next
Investigators are continuing to work through the video evidence to establish the roles of individuals not yet apprehended. The NCW's seven-day deadline for an ATR places immediate pressure on Bihar authorities to demonstrate progress. Legal action against those responsible for circulating the video is also anticipated as part of the ongoing proceedings.
Point of View
While necessary, underscores a recurring pattern: statutory commissions stepping in after video evidence goes viral rather than before local authorities act independently. The fact that an FIR was registered only after the footage circulated — not on the day of the incident — raises questions about ground-level responsiveness. Bihar's record on crimes against women and minors has attracted repeated scrutiny, and the parallel intervention of both the NCW and the state women's commission signals a serious trust deficit in the local administrative response. The seven-day ATR deadline is a mechanism with teeth only if followed by accountability — a step that past such cognisances have not always delivered.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jamui molestation case that the NCW has taken cognisance of?
The Jamui molestation case involves the alleged harassment, molestation, and assault of two minor students in Bihar's Jamui district on 19 September 2026. Videos of the incident circulated on social media, prompting the NCW to take suo motu cognisance and direct authorities to register an FIR and make arrests.
What action has the NCW directed in the Jamui case?
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Bihar DGP directing registration of an FIR, identification and arrest of all accused based on video evidence, a time-bound and impartial investigation, victim safety measures, legal aid, psychological counselling, and removal of the objectionable video from social media. Bihar authorities have been asked to submit an Action Taken Report within seven days.
How many people have been arrested in the Jamui molestation case?
As of the latest reports, three people have been arrested in connection with the case, while seven individuals have been named in the FIR. Police are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects.
Who else has taken cognisance of the Jamui molestation incident besides the NCW?
The Bihar State Women's Commission has also independently taken cognisance of the matter. Its Chairperson, Apsara, sought details from the Jamui District Magistrate and directed strict action against those found responsible.
Why was the video of the Jamui incident significant to the investigation?
The video, which was recorded during the alleged assault and later circulated on social media, serves as primary evidence in the case. Jamui SP Vishwajit Dayal confirmed that police are examining the footage to establish the individual roles of those involved. The NCW has also urged authorities to take legal steps to prevent its further circulation online.
