Patna: Police have arrested three men and detained two juveniles in connection with the alleged harassment of a girl at historic Mandar Hill in Banka district. The incident took place on June 3, while the video came to the notice of police on Sept 22. A case was subsequently registered at Bounsi police station against unidentified persons.The main accused, Abdullah, was arrested from Howrah railway station in Kolkata, while Vibhushan Kumar was apprehended from Patna Junction on Saturday night. Anant Kumar was arrested from his residence in Banka the same day. Police said the involvement of seven youths and juveniles has surfaced and two more juveniles are likely to be taken into custody.Banka SP Amitesh Kumar said, “The girl had gone to deliver milk as usual when Anant Kumar and Vibhushan Kumar offered to drop her home on a motorcycle. They allegedly took her to a secluded location near Mandar Hill, where she was allegedly harassed.”Police said one of the juveniles recorded the incident and the group threatened to circulate the video unless Rs 20,000 was paid. Anant allegedly transferred Rs 1,500 to an account linked to Abdullah, after which the video was circulated on social media.A 13-member SIT, led by Bounsi SDPO Indrajeet Baitha, conducted raids to trace the accused. A separate case was registered at the Cyber Police Station after the girl’s identity was allegedly exposed. Police are verifying 41 social media platforms/accounts linked to the video, including an X handle. Two FIRs have been registered.
