The police operation to arrest the main accused in the Jamui minor assault and molestation case took a dramatic turn on Tuesday after Nandan Yadav was injured in a police encounter in Bihar.
Yadav, who had been wanted in connection with the alleged assault of two Class 10 students, suffered a gunshot injury to his leg during the police operation. He was taken into custody and shifted to Jamui Sadar Hospital for treatment.
Another accused, identified as Hareram Yadav, was also injured during the operation. Reports said he was hurt while allegedly trying to escape from the police and was subsequently taken for medical treatment.
The latest development came as the Jamui Police continued their search for those accused in the September 19 incident, which came to light after videos of the alleged assault were widely circulated on social media.
What happened in the Jamui case
The incident reportedly took place on the evening of September 19 when two teenagers returning from coaching classes were stopped by a group of youths in the Jamui area.
The boy and girl were allegedly surrounded and assaulted. The girl was allegedly subjected to inappropriate touching and harassment while the boy was also allegedly beaten by members of the group.
Videos recorded during the incident later surfaced online. The footage showed the teenagers surrounded by several people and pleading with them to let them go.
The circulation of the video triggered widespread public anger and led the police to begin identifying those involved through the footage.
Police launch major operation
Following the incident, police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
An SIT was formed to identify and arrest the remaining suspects. Police said several people had been identified from the video, while raids were being conducted to trace those who were still absconding.
Three accused had already been arrested before Tuesday’s operation, according to police reports.
The latest operation resulted in the arrest of Nandan Yadav and the injury of Hareram Yadav. Police are continuing their investigation into the incident as well as the circumstances surrounding Tuesday’s encounter.
Action over viral video
The police investigation has also expanded to the online circulation of the footage.
Authorities have taken action against social media accounts that allegedly shared the video in a manner that exposed the identity of the minor victim. An FIR has reportedly been registered against around 120 social media profiles in connection with the circulation of the footage.
Police have warned against sharing material that could reveal the identity of a minor victim.
Investigation continues
With Nandan Yadav now in police custody and another accused also injured, investigators are expected to question the accused as part of the ongoing probe.
The police are continuing searches for other suspects linked to the September 19 incident. Further information about the medical condition of the injured accused and the detailed circumstances of the encounter is awaited.
