Kishanganj: A video allegedly showing a girl being assaulted and subjected to misbehavior by a group of youths has gone viral on social media in Bihar’s Kishanganj district. The incident reportedly took place at Tulsiya Halt railway station under Dighalbank police station. Police have identified five youths seen in the video, arrested one of them and launched a search for the other four.
According to police, the incident took place around 8 to 9 months ago. The matter was reportedly settled at the local level at that time. However, after the video surfaced recently and went viral on social media, police reopened the matter and started an investigation.
One Accused Arrested, Four Others Sought
Police have identified the youths seen in the video as Afsar alias Hati, Zuber Khan, Mizan alias Salman, Kamil and Shahzad.
Police arrested Shahzad from Dighalbank on Friday night. He is being questioned as part of the investigation.
Police said the other four accused are currently believed to be living in different states. Afsar alias Hati is reportedly in Gujarat, Zuber Khan in Haryana, Mizan alias Salman in Karnataka and Kamil in Punjab.
Police are contacting authorities in the respective states to facilitate their arrest.
Video Shows Girl Surrounded and Questioned
According to information available in the case, the viral video shows several youths surrounding a girl and questioning her. They are alleged to have misbehaved with and assaulted her during the incident.
The youths were also allegedly questioning the girl about her reported relationship with a man from another caste.
However, the viral video has not been independently verified.
After the video surfaced, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed on the instructions of the Superintendent of Police. The team registered an FIR at Dighalbank police station on Friday and began further action.
Police Investigating Old Incident
Police said the girl and all the accused are adults. Since the incident is several months old, investigators are examining not only the video but also the circumstances at the time and other facts related to the case.
Police are also trying to establish the complete context of the incident and determine what exactly happened at the time.
Similar Cases Reported Earlier in Bihar
The latest incident comes amid renewed discussion over the safety of girls and women following the circulation of videos allegedly showing misbehavior in different parts of Bihar.
Earlier, similar cases were reported from Jamui, Samastipur and Banka.
In Jamui’s Marwa Pahadi area, a video allegedly showing misbehavior with a student went viral. Police arrested the main accused, Nandan Yadav, after he was shot in the leg during an encounter.
In Samastipur’s Karpuri Gram area, a case involving alleged molestation of a girl was reported. Police arrested four accused in the case and sent them to jail.
Meanwhile, a video allegedly showing the molestation of a minor girl surfaced from Mandar Hill in Banka.
The latest video from Kishanganj has once again brought attention to the issues of women’s safety and law and order in Bihar.
