Jamui Victim Photo Row: FIR Against CMO Employee Over X Post

After public outrage over a photograph of the Jamui harassment victim and her family being posted on the official X account of Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary following a meeting, Patna Police registered a case against an employee of the Chief Minister’s Office on Friday.

An FIR was registered at the Secretariat Police Station in Patna following a written complaint submitted by a Police Assistant Sub-Inspector.

The complaint stated that the circulation of the photograph “affected the privacy and dignity of the minor victim and her family” and put the victim’s identity at risk of being revealed.

What was the complaint about?

According to the complaint, a stenographer in the CMO had posted the photograph on X. The complaint also sought action against anyone else who may have shared or disseminated the post.

The case invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO), and the Information Technology Act, 2000.

“The case was registered after the police received information that a photograph of the victim’s family had been uploaded on X,” the social media cell of the Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) said in a statement.

Opposition Criticises Move, Raises POCSO Concerns

The photograph, showing CM Choudhary meeting the girl and three of her family members, was taken down shortly after it was posted. The incident drew criticism from opposition leaders.

Sharing a screenshot of the post, RJD national working president Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the CM had violated the POCSO Act by posting a photograph of the minor victim with her family.

On Friday evening, RJD Lok Sabha MP Misa Bharti said she had submitted an application seeking registration of a case against the CM under Section 23 of the POCSO Act and Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, concerning the alleged disclosure of the minor’s identity.

She claimed that the station house officer had refused to register an FIR.

However, a police statement later said Bharti’s application requested “that no individual be deemed guilty without an inquiry and that the matter be investigated fairly”. It added that her application had been included in the investigation into the case already registered.

CM Choudhary Met Victim Girl

The post shared by CM Choudhary on Thursday stated,

“Met the victim girl from Jamui and her family at Loksevak Awas. Told the daughter to move forward without fear and reassured the family that justice would come quickly. The family also voiced approval of the police action. The accused will receive the harshest punishment within a month, guaranteed through a swift trial.”