Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National Working President and Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, on Tuesday, 22 September, mounted a sharp offensive against the Bihar state government over the alleged molestation of a minor student in Jamui, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and calling the government's response to crimes against women deeply inadequate.

Resignation Demand and the Jamui Case

Addressing a press conference at his residence at 1, Polo Road, Patna, Tejashwi held the state government accountable for what he described as a failure to demonstrate seriousness in tackling crimes against women and girls. He recalled an earlier public statement attributed to Chief Minister Choudhary — in which, according to Tejashwi, Choudhary had pledged to resign if any incident involving a woman or girl occurred under his watch — and demanded that Choudhary now honour that commitment.

Tejashwi said police had identified seven to eight individuals allegedly involved in the Jamui incident and demanded that all be prosecuted. He called for the harshest punishment permitted under law following a speedy trial, warning that delay would signal impunity.

Ruling Alliance Leaders Under Fire

Tejashwi directed pointed criticism at several leaders from the ruling alliance. He took strong exception to remarks by Umesh Kushwaha and Shravan Sumar, who, he alleged, had dismissed the Jamui incident as a 'petty incident' — language he characterised as insensitive and disrespectful to the victim and her family.

He also criticised Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh and Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh over their responses, alleging that ruling party leaders were actively attempting to divert public attention from the case rather than address it. Tejashwi demanded that those leaders apologise to the people of Bihar. He further alleged that Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi was making political statements on the case primarily to remain relevant within the ruling coalition.

Custodial Deaths: Bihar's Record in Focus

Tejashwi also raised the issue of alleged deaths in police and judicial custody across Bihar, calling for judicial inquiries into multiple such cases. He specifically cited the death of Amarjeet Yadav in Sasaram, stating that the RJD had met the deceased's family and provided financial assistance of ₹1 lakh. He demanded the dismissal of the Sasaram Jail Superintendent and the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against him.

Notably, Tejashwi cited figures presented in Parliament by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. According to Ministry of Home Affairs data — sourced from the National Human Rights Commission — Bihar recorded 19 police-custody death cases between April 2025 and 15 March 2026, the highest among all states in that period. The RJD leader argued these figures made a broader judicial inquiry unavoidable.

Allegations of a 'Transfer Industry' in Bihar Police

Beyond the specific cases, Tejashwi alleged systemic political interference in police postings, claiming that a 'transfer industry' was flourishing under the current government. He presented these allegations as part of a pattern of governance failure that, in his view, had directly contributed to the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state.

What Comes Next

The Jamui molestation case remains under active investigation, with police continuing to examine the roles of those allegedly involved. The RJD's escalating pressure — combining a high-profile resignation demand with custodial death data and systemic policing allegations — is expected to keep the Bihar government on the defensive in the coming days. How Chief Minister Choudhary responds, and whether the opposition's demands gain legislative traction, will shape the political temperature in the state ahead of any upcoming electoral cycles.