Bihar: Woman Alleges Rape in Begusarai Hotel; One Accused Arrested

A woman associated with a self-help group (SHG) in Bihar's Begusarai district has alleged that she was held captive in a hotel, assaulted, and raped at knifepoint. The police have registered a case and arrested one of the two named accused, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the police, the incident took place on the morning of September 27, 2026, when the victim, a member of a JEEviKA self-help group, was out collecting loan repayments. She alleged that she met her neighbour, Vikram Sahni, who tricked her into getting onto his motorcycle. He then took her near Alka Cinema, where another man, Rohit Kumar, was present. Under the pretext of a conversation, they took her to a nearby hotel.

In her complaint filed at the Begusarai Nagar Police Station on the evening of September 28, the woman stated that inside a hotel room, the accused locked the door, forcibly raped her at knifepoint, and recorded a video of the act. The video was later circulated on social media, police said. She managed to escape and returned home, where she informed her family.

Police said the victim was taken for a medical examination at Sadar Hospital, Begusarai, under the supervision of a female police officer. Based on her statement, an FIR was lodged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) Act, including sections related to rape, blackmailing, and life-threatening assault on a woman (Sections 127(2), 115(2), 74, 76, 64, 3(5) BNS and 66(C), 66(D), 67 IT Act).

Investigating officers inspected the crime scene and collected evidence with the help of a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team. CCTV footage from the hotel revealed that Rohit Kumar entered Room No. 203 at Hotel Blue Diamond alone at 7:01 a.m. on September 27. The victim entered the hotel at 7:33 a.m. and was seen meeting Rohit Kumar near the stairs on the second floor. Both then entered Room No. 203 together. At 12:33 p.m., they exited the hotel together, police said.

The victim also recorded her statement before a court under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Of the two named accused, Vikram Kumar Sahni has been arrested. The other accused, Rohit Kumar, is absconding, and police are conducting raids to arrest him. According to the police, both accused are brothers-in-law — Rohit Kumar is Vikram Sahni's wife's brother, and Vikram Sahni is Rohit Kumar's sister's husband.

The incident has sparked political reactions. Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, posted on social media platform X, alleging that law and order in the state has collapsed. He claimed that an atmosphere of insecurity prevails and accused the state government of failing to protect women. He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on the issue. The police have not commented on the political statements, stating that the investigation is ongoing.

Self-help groups like JEEviKA are community-based organisations that provide microfinance and livelihood support to women in rural Bihar. The victim was reportedly working with such a group when the incident occurred.

Police have urged the public to refrain from circulating the video, as it violates the victim's privacy and is a punishable offence under the IT Act. Further investigation is underway.