A video allegedly showing a young woman being harassed by a group of youths at Bihar’s Mandar Hill has gone viral on social media, triggering outrage across the state and fresh concerns over women’s safety. According to police, the incident took place on June 3, but the video came to their notice on September 22 through WhatsApp. An FIR has been registered at Bounsi Police Station in Banka district, and an investigation is underway. Police said the woman had visited the tourist spot with two friends when the accused allegedly abused, threatened, and misbehaved with her.

Investigators said three accused have been identified as Abdullah, Nitish Kumar Rai, and Vikas Kumar. Abdullah is also accused of forcing one of the woman’s friends to transfer ₹1,500 online before allowing the group to leave. Police teams have launched raids to arrest the accused and have also registered a separate case against individuals who allegedly circulated the viral video while revealing the survivor’s identity on social media. The incident comes days after similar harassment cases were reported in Bihar’s Jamui and Samastipur districts.

The case has sparked a political confrontation in Bihar, with Union Minister Chirag Paswan calling the incidents “shameful” and saying the government cannot escape accountability. He demanded strict action not only against the accused but also against officials responsible for maintaining law and order in the affected areas. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the repeated incidents demonstrate a complete breakdown of law and order in the state and questioned the government’s response, asking when the accused would be arrested and whether action was being influenced by caste or social considerations.