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Patna, September 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A political controversy has erupted in Bihar over a photograph shared and later deleted by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary after he met the minor victim and her family in connection with the Jamui molestation case.
RJD National Working President and Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has accused Choudhary of violating provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act by posting the photograph on social media. The allegation has not been established by any competent authority.
According to reports, the minor girl and her family met Choudhary at his official residence on Thursday. After the meeting, the Chief Minister said he had encouraged the girl to move forward fearlessly and assured the family of speedy justice. He also said those found responsible would face the strictest punishment through a speedy trial within a month.
The post included a photograph of Choudhary with the victim and her family but was subsequently removed. A screenshot of the post was later shared by Tejashwi Yadav, who alleged that the photograph could lead to the identification of the minor.
Yadav demanded action against Choudhary, arguing that the legal safeguards protecting the identity of child victims must apply irrespective of who publishes the material.
Section 23 of the POCSO Act prohibits media reports from disclosing a child's identity, including through the child's name, address, photograph, family details, school, neighborhood or other particulars that could lead to identification. The provision allows disclosure only if the Special Court permits it for reasons recorded in writing and considers it to be in the child's interest.
Section 23(4) provides for imprisonment of six months to one year, or a fine, or both, for contravention of the relevant provisions. Whether the deleted social media post amounts to an offense under the law would depend on the facts and any determination by the competent authorities or court.
The controversy comes amid the investigation into the alleged assault and molestation of a minor girl and a teenage boy in Jamui. The incident, which took place on September 19, was captured in videos that subsequently circulated on social media. Police registered a case under the POCSO Act and arrested several accused.
The circulation of material that could identify the minor has itself become a focus of police action. Reports said authorities had identified numerous social media accounts involved in disseminating the material, while police have warned against sharing content that could reveal the identities of the minors.
The latest dispute has added a political dimension to an already sensitive case, with the focus now extending beyond the investigation into the alleged assault to questions over the protection of the minor's identity.