Patna: After Jamui and Samastipur in Bihar, now a video of alleged misbehaviour with a girl from the famous Mandar mountain of Banka has surfaced. In the footage viral on social media, some youths are seen surrounding a girl and abusing and assaulting her. After information about the case came to light, Baunsi police took suo motu cognisance and registered an FIR against six youths. The police team reached Mandar Parvat and verified the place seen in the video. At present, the identity of the accused and the complete circumstances of the incident are under investigation.
When did the viral video reach the police?
According to the police, on September 22 at around 2:45 pm, the video reached Baunsi police station incharge Pankaj Kumar Jha’s WhatsApp through social media cell. As soon as information about the video was received, senior officials were informed about it. After this, the police station chief reached Mandar Parvat with the police force and at around 3 o’clock the place which was visible in the video was verified. During investigation, the police confirmed that the place seen in the footage is the Mandar Parvat complex.
What is seen happening to the girl in the video?
In the viral footage, many youths are seen surrounding a girl. According to reports, a young man is seen holding the girl’s hand, while a slipper is seen in the hand of another young man. The scene of her alleged indecent behaviour and assault has also emerged in the video. Police have considered the video as important evidence for the investigation. However, the complete background of the viral footage and the role of the people present during the incident can be confirmed only after the investigation is completed.
FIR registered against how many youths?
Based on the statement of Baunsi police station incharge, an FIR has been registered against six unidentified youths. The police have registered a case under sections 74, 75, 76 and 3(5) of the Indian Judicial Code along with sections 66E and 67A of the Information Technology Act. Police are trying to identify the youth seen in the video by interrogating nearby shopkeepers, villagers and other people.
What came to light regarding the date of the incident?
In this case, different information has come to light regarding the date of the incident. The description given by you mentions June 3, whereas in many reports of September 24-25, the date of September 3 is seen on the viral video. On this basis, some reports have described the incident as being about three weeks old. Therefore, at present the exact date of the incident is yet to be clarified from the police investigation.
Have the accused been identified?
According to the press note issued by Banka Police regarding the viral video, this incident is said to have happened on June 3. The video of the incident came to the notice of the police through social media on September 22, after which the police started investigating the matter. Based on technical examination of the video and other evidence, the police have identified the three youths as Abdullah, Nitish Kumar Rai and Vikas. Police investigation also revealed that apart from allegedly molesting and assaulting the girl and her friends, the accused also got them to transfer Rs 1,500 online. According to the police, a special team has been formed to arrest the three accused and possible hideouts are being raided.
Why are questions being raised on the safety of Mandar Mountain?
Mandar Mountain is a major tourist destination of Banka and also has religious and historical importance. After the video of alleged misbehaviour with a girl from such a place surfaced, questions are being raised on the security arrangements of tourists. At the local level, there has also been a demand to increase the presence of security forces at tourist destinations and strengthen the monitoring system. Police say that the investigation of the case is going on and after identifying the people seen in the video, action will be taken as per rules.
