Patna, Sep 22 (IANS) : Jamui Police arrested Ramashish Chaudhary in connection with the alleged molestation and harassment of two minor students in the Madwa Pahar area along the Jamui-Lakhisarai route. A video of the shocking incident in Bihar was recorded and subsequently circulated on social media, prompting police action against the molesters and also the people who shared the video online, thus compromising the minor victim’s identity.
Police are continuing their investigation and examining the alleged roles of other individuals involved in the horrific incident.
The prime accused, identified as Nandan Yadav, who was seen wearing an orange scarf around his head in the video, and Hare Ram Yadav remain at large.
Police teams are conducting continuous raids to locate and arrest them.
Meanwhile, Jamui Police have also intensified action against people who allegedly shared the video and disclosed or risked disclosing the identity of the minor victim.
According to police, FIRs have so far been registered against the operators of 120 social-media profiles across different platforms.
Authorities have appealed to the public not to share photographs, videos or any information that could reveal the identity or personal details of the minor victim.
Jamui Superintendent of Police, Vishwajeet Dayal, said displaying or circulating material that reveals the identity of a minor victim is a serious offence and can attract provisions under the POCSO Act, Information Technology Act and Juvenile Justice Act.
Cases have been registered at Jamui Sadar Police Station under the relevant provisions of these laws, the SP said.
Dayal added that the police were conducting the investigation impartially and that efforts were also underway to have videos uploaded on social-media platforms removed.
The incident occurred late on Saturday evening in the Madwa Pahar area, when a minor female student was allegedly stopped and molested by a group of youths while returning from the area.
A male student accompanying her was also allegedly assaulted.
The matter came to the attention of the authorities after the video began circulating on social media on Sunday evening.
The Jamui administration subsequently contacted the victim’s family and registered an FIR.
Police said three juveniles in conflict with the law have been detained in connection with the case.
Seven to eight youths have been identified so far, while two additional suspects have also been identified.
Raids are being conducted to apprehend those still at large.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to conduct a detailed investigation.
Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, the roles of the identified suspects and the source from which the video was recorded and circulated.
ADG (Law and Order), K.S. Anupam said efforts were continuing to identify and arrest all individuals found to have been involved in the crime.
Police have reiterated their appeal to the public not to post, forward or share photographs, videos or other information that could reveal the identity of the minor victim. The investigation remains underway.
