After Misa's Intervention, FIR Filed Against Bihar CMO Steno Over CM Photo With POCSO Survivor's Family

An FIR has been registered against a stenographer working in the Bihar Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) over the uploading of a photograph showing Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary with the family of a minor survivor in the Jamui sexual assault case. The case was registered at the Secretariat Police Station in Patna on September 25. The CMO employee, identified as Sagar Prasad, has been named in connection with the photograph that appeared on the chief minister’s official social media account. The image showed the minor and her family members during their meeting with the chief minister and was later removed from the account.

The FIR reportedly invokes Section 73 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 23 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act. The action came after concerns were raised that the photograph could reveal the identity of a minor involved in a POCSO case.

The controversy followed a meeting between the survivor’s family and Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary at his official residence in Patna. The meeting took place after the September 19 incident in Jamui involving a Class 10 student who was allegedly harassed and assaulted while returning from coaching classes. The incident gained significant attention after videos connected to the case circulated online.

After the meeting with the family, a post was published from the chief minister’s official social media account saying that the family had been assured of speedy justice and that strict action would be pursued against those responsible. However, the photograph accompanying the post showed the minor’s face, raising concerns about the disclosure of her identity. The photograph was subsequently taken down.

RJD MP Misa Bharti later approached the Secretariat Police Station and sought police action over the publication of the photograph. The issue has since developed into a formal police case against the CMO employee involved in uploading the image. Under Section 23 of the POCSO Act, the identity of a child involved in a sexual-offence case is protected from disclosure. This includes information such as photographs and other details that could make it possible to identify the child. The provision is intended to protect minors from further exposure and safeguard their privacy during legal proceedings.

Police are now investigating how the photograph was uploaded, who was responsible for handling the official social media account and whether the image was circulated further after being posted. The registration of an FIR does not establish guilt, and the allegations against the accused employee will be examined as part of the investigation.

The incident has also drawn attention to the need for government departments and public officials to exercise particular caution while sharing information about cases involving minors. While official communication can provide updates on government action, photographs and other identifying details involving POCSO survivors are subject to strict legal protections.