During the ongoing Budget Session of the Bihar Assembly, the Opposition has been attempting to corner the state government over rising crime, particularly crimes against women, questioning Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s claims of “good governance.”
On Friday, the Legislative Council reverberated with slogans and protests as RJD legislators strongly criticised the Nitish government over the deteriorating law and order situation.
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Former Chief Minister Rabri Devi said people across the state are suffering as the government has failed to curb crime. She demanded the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, stating that the BJP leader had earlier promised to ensure that criminals would be caught within 24 hours or he would step down. “No one is safe in Bihar today. Murders, robberies, and rapes are happening every day. Why isn’t Samrat Choudhary resigning,” she asked.
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RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui also targeted the government, claiming that crime has increased significantly since 2005. He pointed out that the number of crime cases has risen from 1.52 lakh to 3.52 lakh during the past 20 years of NDA rule.
He asserted that crime figures have been steadily rising and argued that these statistics reflect a worsening law and order situation under the NDA government. Taking a jibe at the ruling dispensation, he remarked if this is “Mangal Raj,” then “Jungle Raj” was better.
Siddiqui also referred to a tragic incident in Patna’s Phulwari Sharif suburb, where a girl fell from the rooftop of a private coaching centre.
CPI-ML leader and former Phulwari MLA Gopal Ravidas alleged that the student’s death was a case of murder following assault. He claimed that the girl was assaulted, deliberately killed, and her body thrown from the fourth floor in an attempt to destroy evidence.
A video clip of the incident that went viral on social media allegedly shows a few boys going to the particular floor and leaving shortly after the girl fell, raising suspicion about their possible involvement.
Taking the matter seriously, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya K. Sharma visited the coaching institute along with his team and conducted a detailed inspection of the scene. Police have registered a case under charges of murder and provisions of the POCSO Act.
SSP Sharma confirmed that, based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s family, an FIR has been registered at the Phulwari Sharif police station under sections related to murder and the POCSO Act.
Police have detained some individuals for questioning, though no official arrests have been confirmed so far. Regarding suspicions of rape, the SSP said the situation would become clear only after the postmortem report is received.
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