Patna, 22 September (H.S.): Bihar Police arrested Nandan Yadav, the main accused in the alleged molestation and harassment of two Class 10 students in Jamui, after he sustained a bullet injury in his leg during a police encounter on Tuesday.

According to police, a team surrounded Yadav in Jamui and asked him to surrender, following which he allegedly opened fire at the personnel. Police retaliated and Yadav sustained a gunshot injury to his leg. He was subsequently arrested and admitted to a government hospital for treatment. Another accused, Hareram Yadav, was also arrested in the operation after reportedly suffering a minor leg injury while trying to flee.

Police said five persons have so far been arrested in connection with the case and efforts were continuing to identify and apprehend others suspected to have been involved.

The incident took place on September 19 when the two Class 10 students had gone out on a scooter and stopped on the Marwa-Pratappur stretch to take photographs. A group of people allegedly intercepted them and subjected them to assault and harassment. A video of the incident subsequently surfaced on social media.

Police traced the victims, recorded their statements and registered an FIR at Jamui police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The CID has taken over the investigation, while a Special Investigation Team has also been constituted to trace the remaining accused.

Police have also initiated action against social media accounts that allegedly disclosed the identity of the minor victim. According to police, action has been initiated against 120 accounts and notices have been issued for removal of the videos. Authorities have appealed to people not to share or repost material that could reveal the identity of the minor victim.

The case has also drawn reactions from political leaders and women's rights bodies. The National Commission for Women and Bihar State Women Commission have taken suo motu cognisance and sought an action-taken report from the authorities.

The investigation into the incident and the role of other persons allegedly involved is continuing.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar