Bihar Police arrested four men on Dam Bypass Road in Samastipur after a 56‑second video of a girl being harassed surfaced on social media. The footage, which shows the girl stopped with a male companion for photographs, was uploaded from Karpurigram and quickly went viral. Police spokesperson Ramesh Kumar said the arrests were made within hours of the video’s circulation. The suspects, identified as local youths, are now under investigation.
The Samastipur case follows two earlier incidents that sparked outrage across the state. In Jamui, a Class X girl and her male classmate were allegedly stopped by a group of men after returning from coaching, and a video of the confrontation went online, prompting calls for action under the POCSO Act. In Darbhanga, a schoolgirl was reportedly stopped by two men on a motorcycle, who tried to snatch her dupatta; both were apprehended within five hours, according to a police statement.
Political leaders have weighed in, turning the incidents into a national debate. Rahul Gandhi called the Jamui episode “deeply disturbing” and urged swift justice, while his sister Priyanka Gandhi warned that “no big schemes can protect women if basic safety is lacking.” JD(U) MLA Shreyasi Singh defended her earlier remarks on moral policing, claiming they were taken out of context. RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav accused the ruling party of politicising the incidents to target opponents.
The repeated pattern of harassment in public spaces has raised questions about the erosion of women's safety in Bihar. Victims and activists argue that the presence of cameras and crowds often emboldens perpetrators, turning routine outings into potential threat zones. Law‑enforcement officials say that while arrests are being made, systemic changes are needed to deter such behaviour.
Bihar Police have filed a formal complaint and are preparing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The case is now pending at the district court, where a bail hearing is expected next week. Meanwhile, civil society groups are demanding stricter enforcement and better policing of public spaces.