Key accused in Bihar molestation shot, injured in police encounter - The Indian Express

Nandan Yadav – the key accused in the Bihar molestation case involving a minor boy and girl – has been shot in his leg in an encounter with police, Deputy Inspector-General Rakesh Kumar told The Indian Express Tuesday afternoon.

A second accused was also involved in the encounter. Both accused are 25 years old.

The encounter took place after a police team tracked the men down and tried to arrest them. Police sources told the Express the area in which the men were hiding was covered with bushes and when the police approached, the accused opened fire from the bushes.

The police retaliated and Nandan Yadav was shot in the leg as he tried to escape.

VIDEO | Jamui, Bihar: Nandan Yadav, one of the accused in teen harassment case, shot in the leg by the police during encounter.

Jamui SP Bishwajeet Dayal had told reporters that the incident took place on September 19 evening and a Special Investigation Team, headed by a woman… pic.twitter.com/oGmyLmcgZx

The same source told the Express the extent of the injury – whether it is a fracture or not – is not yet clear; but he is unable to walk at this time and doctors will determine the exact nature of the injury.

On Saturday evening the boy and girl were returning from coaching classes when they were stopped and subject to assault and molestation before being allowed to leave. This was between 6 and 7 pm.

A video of the incident showed the teenagers pleading to be let free as they were physically abused; in one sequence one of the accused grabs the girl’s genitals, lifts her off the ground, and tries to run away.

In another video the boy pleads with his attackers; he tells them the girl and he study at the same school and that everyone at home knows about them, to which an unidentified attacker slaps the boy.

The attacker then shouts: “If they know, then call them.” Another person is heard saying, “Call the family.”

The video also shows the girl pleading with the group to let them go. “Please let us go, we will never come here again.” In the video, some people in the group are eventually heard telling the two to leave, saying, “Go, go.”

Police have filed a case under relevant sections of the POCSO Act – i.e., the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Apart from the accused who was shot, three others have been arrested.

The police are hunting more accused as seen in the video.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi called the incident “deeply disturbing”.

“Who gave these men the right to behave like this? This is not ‘culture’. It is patriarchy: the belief any man can police a girl’s body, her movement, her choices,” he said, adding, “… such attitudes are normalised by Andhbhakts, mobs start believing they are law.”

The video from Jamui, Bihar is deeply disturbing.

Two Class 10 students were stopped on a road. Harassed. Humiliated. Molested. A young girl, hands folded, begged to be let go while goons groped her and dragged her away.

Who gave these men the right to behave like this? This is…

Meanwhile, a member of the ruling Janata Dal (United) has drawn flak over a comment tagged as insensitive.

JDU state president Umesh Kushwaha said the state is sensitive to any ‘isolated incident (chutput ghatna)’ that takes place, and people should recall the time before 2005, when the RJD was in power and people were afraid of stepping out of their homes.

“Whenever such an isolated incident occurs, our government is sensitive to it. But look at the period before 2005, what kind of Bihar was it? Could people even step out of their homes? What kind of Bihar was it, and what was the situation?” he asked.

Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, currently leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance. Professional Expertise & Credentials An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment. Specialized Beats Himanshu’s portfolio reflects versatility, allowing him to navigate diverse industries and social issues: Civic & Legal Affairs: Extensive experience covering the Delhi reporting beat, focusing on policy implementation and judicial impact. Automotive Industry: A technical background in reporting on India’s evolving transport and automotive sectors. Social Fabric & Human Interest: Beyond hard news, he is known for exploring the changing social dynamics of India’s urban and rural heartlands, bringing a human-centric lens to systemic issues. Personal Interests & Digital Literacy Outside the newsroom, Himanshu’s deep engagement with technology and gaming informs his understanding of digital trends and the modern information economy. A trained DJ with a passion for music, his diverse personal interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that resonates across both traditional and digital media platforms. ... Read More