Nalanda Gang Rape Attempt: Woman Groped Publicly, Video Goes Viral
In a deeply disturbing incident that has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, a married woman was publicly groped and subjected to an attempted gang rape on a village road in Bihar's Nalanda district on the evening of March 26. The horrific event came to light after a video of the assault went viral on social media platforms on Tuesday, exposing the brazen nature of the crime and raising serious questions about women's safety in the region.
Details of the Assault
The victim, a mother of two whose husband works in Nashik, Maharashtra, was returning home with groceries from a nearby shop when she was accosted by three local youths. According to the police complaint, the perpetrators allegedly grabbed her, dragged her along the street, touched her inappropriately, tried to tear her clothes, and attempted to rape her while hurling obscenities. The woman fought back valiantly, raising an alarm and pleading for mercy, but the assailants refused to let go, continuing their assault in full public view.
Bystanders Record Instead of Intervene
As the incident unfolded, a crowd soon gathered at the scene. Shockingly, instead of intervening to help the victim, many onlookers reportedly pulled out their mobile phones and recorded the assault. The entire episode was captured in shaky video clips lasting about 42 seconds, which were later shared online in three separate parts. The footage clearly shows the men holding the woman tightly as she struggles and begs to be released, with the perpetrators heard urging their companions to keep filming while continuing their violent actions.
Police Action and Arrests
On March 27, the traumatized woman lodged a formal complaint at the local police station. In what appears to be an act of retaliation, the accused circulated the video widely on social media, intensifying her trauma and drawing significant public attention to the case. Acting swiftly on the complaint, police formed a special investigation team (SIT) under the supervision of Sadar DSP II Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal. The team conducted raids and arrested two of the accused—Ashok Yadav and Matlu Mahto alias Navneet Kumar Narottam—on the same night. Both have been sent to judicial custody, while raids are continuing to apprehend the third suspect, identified as Ravikant Kumar.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
Authorities have invoked relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to assault on a woman's dignity and other serious offences. Nalanda SP Bharat Soni confirmed that the video relates to an incident of molestation involving the woman, stating that three people have been named in the case, with two already arrested. He emphasized that the investigation is ongoing to ascertain all facts, including claims of prior enmity or other angles raised by the parties involved. SP Soni also mentioned that it has come to light that the woman had an alleged illicit relation with another youth from the village and was caught before the incident on March 26, with police examining all possible angles to ensure justice is served.
Political and Public Reaction
The incident has triggered strong political reactions, with RJD leader Rohini Acharya, daughter of Lalu Prasad Yadav, criticizing the state government on social media. She described the episode as a shameful incident that exposes the hollowness of claims about women's safety in Bihar. The viral video has also led to widespread public condemnation, with many expressing shock and anger over the bystanders' failure to intervene and the perpetrators' audacity to film and share the assault. This case highlights urgent concerns about law enforcement and societal attitudes towards gender-based violence in the region.
