A key accused in the molestation case in Bihar’s Jamui was shot and injured in a police encounter on Tuesday, September 22, four days after visuals of a minor boy and girl being harassed and allegedly molested went viral on social media and drew widespread criticism.
Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) Rakesh Kumar confirmed the encounter, saying Nandan Yadav, the prime accused in the case, sustained a gunshot injury to his leg during an exchange of fire with police. A second accused, Hareram Yadav, also suffered a leg injury in the same encounter. Both men are aged 25 and had been absconding since the incident came to light.
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Police teams had been tracking the two accused for several days following the surfacing of viral videos showing the alleged assault. On Tuesday, officers located the men hiding in a bush-covered area and moved in to arrest them. The accused opened fire from within the bushes as the team approached. In the exchange that followed, both Nandan Yadav and Hareram Yadav were hit in the leg. Reports suggest the encounter took place while the police team was attempting to arrest Nandan Yadav. He was later brought to Jamui Sadar Hospital for treatment.
The two injured men, Nandan Yadav and Hareram Yadav, are named as accused in the original molestation case. The victims are a minor boy and girl studying in class 10, who were allegedly stopped, harassed and assaulted by a group of men in Jamui district. A separate probe has also been ordered into the circumstances of the encounter itself.
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The molestation incident took place on the evening of Saturday, September 19, as the two minors were returning from a coaching class in Jamui district. The encounter involving the two absconding accused occurred on Tuesday, four days after the original incident, in an area described by police as thick with bushes.
Police mounted the search operation after the case drew widespread public attention and outrage, following videos of the incident spreading online. The subsequent encounter took place when the accused allegedly resisted arrest by opening fire on the approaching police team.
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On the evening of September 19, the minor boy and girl, returning from a coaching class in Jamui on a scooter, were allegedly intercepted by a group of men. Preliminary accounts suggest the accused stopped the two and forced them to dismount. When the minors attempted to flee, the men allegedly gave chase.
Videos of the encounter later emerged on social media platforms, showing the group surrounding the two minors and subjecting them to questioning. In the footage, one of the accused is seen slapping the boy and demanding he call his family members. The girl is heard repeatedly asking the men to let them go. The accused also questioned the pair about whether their families were aware of their relationship, to which the girl reportedly responded that they were.
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As the two again tried to escape, the accused allegedly resumed the chase. A portion of the video shows one of the men touching the girl inappropriately while attempting to restrain her, an act that led to allegations of sexual harassment against the group. Reports indicate the two minors had earlier visited Madwa Pahad, a hill destination popular among locals and tourists in Jamui, before the incident occurred.
The viral spread of the videos triggered strong public reaction, with calls for swift police action against those responsible. Following the outcry, police registered a case and launched a manhunt for the accused named in the videos, several of whom went absconding. Nandan Yadav emerged as the key accused in the case, with Hareram Yadav also named as a wanted suspect.
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Police in Jamui district have taken three suspects into custody over the alleged molestation and mistreatment of a minor schoolgirl. Jamui SP Vishwajit Dayal said officers registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act after examining the video that circulated online. He said a special team, headed by Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Deepti Monali, is carrying out raids to trace the remaining absconding accused.
State Women’s Commission Chairperson Apsara condemned the incident, saying the Commission would send a team to meet the victim and record complete details of the case. She said those found guilty would face strict punishment. Sports Minister and Jamui MLA Shreyasi Singh also condemned the incident, saying the administration is responding to the matter without delay.
