Bihar CM faces criticism from RJD for 'revealing identity' of girl molested in Jamui

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Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. File | Photo Credit: ANI

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary drew flak from the Opposition RJD for allegedly revealing the identity of a girl who was molested a few days ago in Jamui district.

The minor, along with her family, came here to meet Mr. Choudhary on Thursday (September 24) and was assured of "speedy justice" and "strongest possible punishments to all culprits within a month through speedy trial", officials said.

Mr. Choudhary shared on X a photograph of himself with the victim and her family members. The social media post was, however, quickly taken down.

Sharing the screenshot on X, Mr. Yadav, the leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, hit out at the CM, calling him “foolish and inept”.

He accused Choudhary of “violating the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act”.

A teenage boy and girl returning from coaching classes in Jamui were stopped by a group of men on Saturday evening, surrounded, questioned and subjected to assault and molestation before being allowed to leave.

Mr. Yadav, who is also a former Deputy CM, alleged that Mr. Choudhary had failed in his Class VII exam and was convicted in seven murders.

"The BJP leader deserves the strongest possible punishment for violating provisions of the POCSO Act," Mr. Yadav said.

The screenshot was also shared by Mr Yadav's eldest sister, Misa Bharti, the RJD MP from Patliputra, who urged the Bihar Police to “lodge an FIR against the CM”.

Ms. Bharti alleged that Choudhary revealed the identity of the minor victim even as the Bihar Police were booking all those who had uploaded videos of the molestation for violating the girl's privacy.

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