Why has Bihar’s Saran case turned into a ‘Rajput vs Paswan’ flashpoint? Here’s what has unfolded so far in the gang rape and killing of a minor who was thrown into a well

A case of the gang rape and murder of a Class 10 student has come to light in Pattishital village of Saran district, Bihar. In this case, the victim’s mother has accused five youths from the same village, one of whom has already been arrested by the police. It is alleged that the five men gang-raped the girl and then threw her into a well, leading to her death. The incident has also triggered a narrative war on social media because the victim belonged to an upper-caste Rajput family, while the accused belonged to the Mahadalit (Paswan) community. Police are facing allegations that the swift action expected in such a serious case has not been taken, as not all the accused have been arrested, even three days after the incident. The victim’s family and eyewitnesses have made serious claims, but the police are reportedly reluctant to accept these accounts at this stage. Here is a detailed look at what each side is claiming and the questions being raised about the police response. What did the victim’s mother say in her complaint? The victim’s mother filed a complaint at the Derni police station. In the complaint, she said: “My daughter often used to go to our old house to collect belongings. On Wednesday (March 11, 2026), she went there at around 3:00 pm. During that time, five people who were already lying in wait gang-raped her and dragged her to a well and threw her into it, which caused her death.” Five people have been named as accused in the case: Sachin Kumar Manjhi, Yuvraj Manjhi, Chandan Manjhi, Ajay Manjhi and Vikas Manjhi. The complaint also states that Vikas Manjhi had earlier tried to enter the house and attempted to rape the girl. He allegedly abused the family and threatened them, saying that he would enter the house and kill everyone. According to the complaint, when the family opposed him earlier, Vikas had warned that the consequences would be very bad. The mother alleges that he eventually carried out the threat on March 11, 2026. She further stated that after committing the crime, the accused abused the family and said that they could buy the police, administration and courts, and that no one would be able to harm them. The victim’s mother has also accused the police of inaction, claiming that the police came to the spot but left without taking proper action. What did an eyewitness claim? According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, an eyewitness said that the girl was shouting loudly for help during the incident. Hearing her screams, nearby residents and family members rushed toward the spot. Her mother and elder sister were among the first to run there. However, before they could reach, the accused allegedly covered the girl’s mouth and forcibly dragged her out of the house by her legs. The eyewitness claimed that the accused then took the girl to a well located about 10 meters away and pushed her into it. After committing the crime, they fled toward nearby fields. The eyewitness also said that the main accused had previously harassed and threatened the girl multiple times. According to the eyewitness, after pushing the girl into the well, the main accused even posted a WhatsApp status lip-syncing to a Bhojpuri song with the line: “Rani hum bana lehab tohara ke dulhaniya… agar koi bola to ghar mein ghuskar sabko maar daalenge” (“I will make you my bride… if anyone speaks, I will enter the house and kill everyone”). Police have not yet confirmed the gang rape claim. In a statement released on social media, Saran Police did not mention rape or gang rape. The police said that one accused, Yuvraj Manjhi, has been arrested. According to the police statement, information was received about the suspicious death of a minor girl, after which the police reached the spot and initiated action. The SP and SDPO visited the location, and an FSL team collected evidence from the scene. Police said that raids are being conducted to arrest the other accused. डेरनी थानान्तर्गत नाबालिग की सदिगध मृत्यु घटना का त्वरित उद्भेदन, 01 अभियुक्त को किया गया गिरफ्तार।#BiharPolice #BiharHomeDept #SaranPolice #HaiTaiyarHum @BiharHomeDept @bihar_police @SaranPolice pic.twitter.com/zCd5mIkOM7 — SARAN POLICE […]

India’s Strategic Tipping Point: The Rise of a “Stabilizing Maverick” in 2026

Introduction The global order is no longer just shifting; it has splintered. From the drone-filled skies of the Durand Line to the high-stakes naval standoff in the Strait of Hormuz, the world is facing a “polycrisis.” For New Delhi, this is the ultimate strategic tipping point. India has moved beyond being a “swing state” to becoming a stabilizing […]

IPL 2026 should be audition for the next India T20I captain

Centre Ends Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s Detention Under NSA After 6 Months Of Jail Over Ladakh Protest In a major development in the Ladakh agitation, the Centre has revoked the detention of activist Sonam Wangchuk who had been jailed for nearly six months under the National Security Act. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Home […]

PM Modi’s diplomacy secures India’s interests in the middle of chaos and war

On March 14, it was reported that the two Indian flagged LPG-loaded tankers, Shivalik and Nandadevi, have crossed the Strait of Hormuz after PM Modi’s conversation with Iranian Masoud Pezeshkian on March 12.  Indian LPG Tanker Shivalik in the gulf of Oman, and had moved from Ras Laffan, Qatar. https://t.co/sr1ElWXTxc pic.twitter.com/4RXcZHD2Yj — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March […]

Report explores how immigration debates on X turned into an anti-India hate campaign, led by a small group that amplified racist narrative

A new report analysing online discourse in the United States has claimed that Anti-Indian rhetoric and anti-Indian attacks against Indians and Indian-origin individuals went up sharply on the social media platform X. Particularly in 2025, during the heated debates in the United States surrounding immigration and the H-1 B visa programme.  The Network Contagion Research Institute […]

The 12-3-30 treadmill workout: – Firstpost

The 12-3-30 treadmill workout has become one of the most talked-about fitness trends online. The workout quickly gained traction for being simple, accessible and effective for building endurance and burning calories. What is the 12-3-30 treadmill workout? The name 12-3-30 refers to three specific treadmill settings used during the workout: 12 – Set the treadmill to […]

Revolt Motors announces limited-period benefits of up to ₹25,000 on electric motorcycles

Revolt Motors has announced a limited-period consumer offer on its electric motorcycle range, with benefits of up to ₹25,000 for customers purchasing a bike before March 31, 2026. The initiative aims to boost electric motorcycle adoption while offering buyers additional value during the festive and incentive period. The Revolt RV BlazeX was launched in India last […]