The Bihar case that sparked outrage after a disturbing video showed two minor students being allegedly harassed and assaulted has taken a dramatic turn.
Nandan Yadav, identified by police as the prime accused, was shot in the leg during a police encounter in Jamui on Tuesday. He was subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment, according to reports.
The incident reportedly took place on September 19 in the Madwa Pahar area along the Jamui-Lakhisarai route.
According to police accounts cited in multiple reports, a Class 10 girl and a male student accompanying her were stopped by a group of youths. The girl was allegedly harassed and molested, while the boy was allegedly assaulted.
A video of the incident later surfaced on social media, triggering widespread outrage and prompting police to launch an investigation.
Yadav was identified as one of the key suspects in the case. Reports said he was seen in the video with an orange scarf covering his head. Police teams had been conducting raids to trace him and other suspects.
According to reports, police located Yadav while carrying out an operation to apprehend him.
During the encounter, Yadav sustained a gunshot wound to his leg. He was taken into custody and shifted to a hospital for medical treatment. Another suspect was also reportedly injured and arrested during the operation, though details of the second accused's condition remain limited.
The circumstances surrounding the police encounter will remain an important part of the investigation.
The case has also triggered action over the circulation of the viral footage.
Police have registered cases against operators of around 120 social-media profiles for allegedly sharing material that could reveal the identity of the minor victim. Authorities have warned people against posting or forwarding the video or any information that could identify the children.
Police have also formed a Special Investigation Team to examine the incident, identify those allegedly involved and investigate how the footage was recorded and circulated.
Several people have already been detained or arrested, while police continue searching for other suspects identified through the video and investigation.
The encounter adds another major development to a case that has already raised questions around the safety of minors, public harassment and the circulation of sensitive videos online.
For now, the allegations against the suspects and the circumstances of the encounter remain subject to investigation and due legal process.
