Bihar CM’s Photo Post Sparks POCSO Controversy After Jamui Molestation

On September 24, 2026, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary met the family of a minor girl molested in Jamui district and posted an unblurred photograph of himself with the victim and her relatives on his official X handle. The post was deleted within minutes, but a screenshot spread widely, leading to accusations of violating the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The Hindu

• Sept 19, 2026 – A Class 10 girl and boy were allegedly molested in Jamui; the incident was recorded on video.

Jamui molestation case: Tejashwi Yadav accuses Bihar CM of violating POCSO by sharing victim’s photo

• Sept 21, 2026 – The video went viral, prompting police action.

Jamui molestation case: Tejashwi Yadav accuses Bihar CM of violating POCSO by sharing victim’s photo

• Sept 24, 2026 – The victim’s family met CM Choudhary; he posted, then removed, the photograph after about 15 minutes.

The Hindu

• Sept 25, 2026 – Bihar police filed an FIR against CMO stenographer Sagar Prasad for uploading the photograph and against others who circulated it.

The Hindu

The assault triggered a swift law-enforcement response. Police filed an FIR under the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, arrested the identified perpetrators, and formed a Special Investigation Team. A parallel cyber-police drive led to FIRs against roughly 120 social-media accounts for sharing the video or the minor’s identity.

Bihar CM vows speedy justice, reveals Jamui survivor's identity; ignorant, says Tejashwi

• Arrests: Five individuals identified from the video were taken into custody by early September 2026.

Telegraph India

• Cyber action: About 120 profiles were cited in FIRs for disseminating the video or victim details.

Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary's Remarks on Jamui Assault Case Spark Backlash, Draws Scrutiny for Revealing Victim's Family Identity

• FIR against staff: CMO employee Sagar Prasad was named in the September 25 FIR for posting the photograph.

The Hindu

Police confirmed that the photograph was uploaded by the CMO stenographer and deleted after about 15 minutes. They noted that the victim’s privacy had been compromised, prompting the FIR against the staff member and others who forwarded the image.

The Indian Express

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) national working president Tejashwi Yadav denounced the CM’s action as a breach of the POCSO Act and called for legal action. RJD MP Misa Bharti urged the Bihar police to lodge an FIR against the chief minister. Other opposition figures, including Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Raut and Congress leader Rakesh Sinha, framed the episode as evidence of “maha goonda raj” and demanded the CM’s resignation.

'Samrat Choudhary must resign over 'maha goonda raj': Opposition slams Bihar CM over Jamui molestation case

• “The BJP leader deserves the strongest possible punishment for violating provisions of the Pocso Act,” — Tejashwi Yadav

Bihar CM vows speedy justice, reveals Jamui survivor's identity; ignorant, says Tejashwi

• “People live more in reels than in reality these days,” — Samrat Choudhary

The Indian Express

Sources differ on the number of accused arrested—some cite three initially, later updates mention five in custody and seven suspects identified. The exact duration the photograph remained online (15 minutes vs. 18 minutes) also varies. No court has yet ruled on whether the CM’s post constitutes a punishable offence under POCSO.

Jamui Minor Molestation Case: Victim Girl's Mother Lauds CM Samrat Choudhary's Efforts, Says 'He Told Us That Our Daughter Is Like His Child'

The incident highlights the tension between rapid political communication and statutory safeguards for child victims. It raises questions about the enforcement of POCSO provisions when senior officials are implicated and underscores the political fallout in Bihar, where opposition parties are using the case to challenge the ruling coalition’s law-and-order record.

CNN-News18