Jamui minor harassment case: Main accused Nandan Yadav injured in police encounter

The main accused in the Jamui minor harassment and assault case, Nandan Yadav, was injured in a police encounter in Bihar on Tuesday, September 22. Yadav reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to his leg during an operation to apprehend him and was subsequently taken into custody and admitted to Jamui Sadar Hospital for treatment.

Jamui Superintendent of Police Bishwajeet Dayal confirmed that Yadav suffered a bullet injury during the police operation. Another accused, identified as Hareram Yadav, was also reportedly injured while allegedly attempting to flee during the operation.

According to police officials cited by The Indian Express, the accused were tracked to an area covered by bushes. When the police team approached, the accused allegedly opened fire, following which the police retaliated. Nandan Yadav was shot in the leg while allegedly attempting to escape. The exact extent of his injury was not immediately clear, with doctors expected to assess his condition.

Jamui minor harassment case: What happened?

The case relates to an alleged assault and harassment of two Class 10 students in Jamui on September 19. According to the police, the minor boy and girl were returning from a coaching class when they were allegedly intercepted by a group of youths near the Madwa hill area on the outskirts of Jamui.

The incident was reportedly recorded on video, with footage later circulating widely on social media. The videos purportedly showed the teenagers being surrounded and subjected to harassment and assault. The circulation of the footage triggered widespread outrage and prompted police action.

Police subsequently identified the victims, recorded their statements and registered a case under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Five accused arrested, seven identified

With the latest arrests following the police encounter, the total number of arrests in the case has risen to five, according to police officials. Seven people have so far been identified as allegedly involved in the incident, while raids are continuing to trace the remaining suspects.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by a woman police officer, has been formed to investigate the case and arrest all those allegedly involved. Investigators are also analysing the available video footage and collecting evidence as part of the probe.

Officials are also checking the criminal antecedents, if any, of those arrested and are working towards building the case based on available evidence.

Police action over circulation of viral video

Apart from investigating the alleged assault, police have also initiated action against social media accounts that circulated footage revealing or potentially revealing the identity of the minor victim.

According to police, FIRs have been registered against operators of around 120 social media profiles for allegedly circulating the video. Authorities have urged people not to share the footage or any material that could reveal the identity of the minor victim.

The circulation of material that reveals the identity of a child victim in a sexual offence case can itself lead to legal action, making the police warning particularly significant as the investigation continues.

Investigation continues

The latest police encounter comes as authorities intensify their efforts to apprehend all the accused in the Jamui case. While Nandan Yadav has been taken into custody after sustaining the leg injury, investigators are continuing raids for the remaining suspects.

Police are also examining the circumstances surrounding the encounter alongside the wider investigation into the September 19 incident. Further details about Yadav's medical condition and the full circumstances of the police action are awaited.

The case has drawn significant public attention after the alleged assault footage circulated online, with authorities now focusing on securing evidence, protecting the identity of the minor victim and bringing all identified suspects within the ambit of the investigation.