Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Sep 30: Police have arrested four men and detained four minors in connection with the alleged harassment and assault of a young couple in the Sherghati area of Bihar’s Gaya district.
The incident took place in the hilly area of Chapi village under the Sherghati police station limits. A video purportedly showing the incident has since circulated widely on social media.
According to police, the young man, a resident of Gurua, had gone on a motorcycle ride with his female friend to the Chapi hills at around 2 p.m. on Monday. A group of youths allegedly surrounded the couple, abused them verbally and assaulted them.
The accused allegedly took away the motorcycle keys and prevented the couple from leaving the spot. Police said there were also allegations that the motorcycle was tampered with, including by deflating its tyres and removing its spark plug.
Gaya SSP Sushil Kumar said the couple had gone to the hilly area when they were allegedly intercepted and assaulted by a group of youths. He added that a video of the incident was subsequently circulated on social media.
Following registration of an FIR, police launched raids under the supervision of the Rural SP. The Sherghati SDPO and Station House Officer were also part of the operation.
Police have so far nabbed eight people in connection with the case. Of them, four are adults and four are minors. Police said all eight allegedly appear in the video being examined as part of the investigation.
The authorities are verifying the circumstances of the incident and determining the individual roles of those arrested.
The SSP also expressed concern over the circulation of the video, particularly as the face of the young woman was reportedly visible. Police said action would be taken against those responsible for circulating the video in a manner that reveals her identity.
Authorities have urged people not to share or further circulate the video or any similar material.
Further legal action will be based on evidence gathered during the ongoing investigation.
The Gaya incident comes amid reports of similar incidents from Jamui, Samastipur, Kishanganj, Banka, Begusarai and other districts of Bihar in recent days. Police, however, have solved several of these cases by arresting multiple accused persons.