Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary Faces Criticism Over Jamui Survivor’s Photo and ‘Reels’ Remark

PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary faced criticism from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) after a photograph of a minor survivor in the Jamui case and her family was briefly posted on the Chief Minister’s official X account. The post was deleted about 15 minutes later.

The girl and her family had met Choudhary at his official residence in Patna. The RJD shared a screenshot of the post and accused the Chief Minister of revealing information that could identify the minor. Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, alleged that the post violated the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The allegation was not a court finding.

Choudhary also drew criticism for comments about the video of the Jamui incident. Speaking at an event in Patna on September 22, he said the accused might not have been caught had they not recorded and circulated a video.

“Had he not made the reel, would he have been caught?” Choudhary said, according to reports. He also warned criminals not to challenge the police, saying they would face a response within 24 hours.

The Jamui incident was reported to have taken place on September 19, and video circulated on social media on September 21. On the day Choudhary made the remarks, the main accused was shot in the leg during a police encounter, according to the report.

Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] leader and Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary defended the government’s response to crime. He said such incidents occurred in countries around the world and that the Bihar government had acted quickly.

Tejashwi Yadav criticised both leaders. He accused the Chief Minister of effectively telling criminals to commit offences without recording them and condemned the photograph’s publication, saying it exposed the survivor’s identity. He also criticised Ashok Choudhary for comparing crime in Bihar with that in the United States and Japan.

The controversy also drew attention to the Bihar government’s social media policy. On August 19, the State Cabinet approved amendments allowing eligible, empanelled content creators to receive payments for videos about government schemes and programmes. Reports said the proposed incentive was ₹10,000 for every one lakh views after 30 days, capped at ₹1 lakh per video. The policy concerns promotional content and is separate from the Jamui case.

In a later development, Patna Police registered a case against an employee of the Chief Minister’s Office in connection with the photograph. The complaint said its circulation affected the privacy and dignity of the minor and her family. That case is separate from the RJD’s allegations against the Chief Minister.

The episode has intensified political debate in Bihar over child protection, women’s safety, police accountability, social media and law and order.