The main accused in the alleged harassment and assault of two Class 10 students in Bihar’s Jamui, Nandan Yadav, was shot in the leg during a police encounter on Tuesday, September 22, and subsequently arrested, according to police reports.
The development comes three days after the alleged incident on September 19, when a teenage boy and girl were reportedly stopped by a group of people on a roadside near the Jamui-Lakhisarai road. A video purportedly showing the teenagers being harassed later went viral on social media, prompting widespread outrage and police action. Jamui Superintendent of Police (SP) Bishwajeet Dayal had said the incident occurred on September 19 evening and that a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by a woman officer, was conducting raids to identify and arrest all those allegedly involved. Police had earlier identified around seven suspects and arrested three people.
With Yadav and another accused now arrested, reports put the total number of arrests at five.
Police Action Intensifies
According to police reports, Yadav was located during an operation to apprehend those allegedly involved in the case. He sustained a gunshot injury to his leg during the encounter and was taken to hospital for treatment before being placed under arrest. Another accused was also reportedly injured during the operation. The exact circumstances surrounding the exchange of fire have been reported based on the police account, and further details of the operation are expected to emerge as the investigation continues.
The police action follows an investigation that began after the video of the alleged incident surfaced online. SP Bishwajeet Dayal said the police were able to trace the two teenagers with the help of a vehicle registration number visible in the footage. He said investigators had identified around seven people allegedly involved in the incident and that teams were conducting raids to arrest those still at large. The police have registered a case under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Viral Video Sparks Probe
The alleged incident took place on the evening of September 19, when the two teenagers, who are friends and attend the same coaching institute, were reportedly returning after visiting a scenic location. Police said the pair were stopped by a group of people on the roadside. The video that subsequently circulated online purportedly shows the teenagers being confronted and harassed by the group. The footage triggered widespread public outrage and brought the case to wider attention.
Police said the teenagers had not approached them with a complaint until Sunday, two days after the alleged incident. Following the circulation of the video, investigators traced the victims and began identifying the alleged perpetrators from the footage. Police also appealed for the removal of the video from social media, as its circulation could reveal the identity of a minor victim.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the case and sought immediate action from the Bihar Director General of Police. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar called for the identification and arrest of those allegedly involved and a time-bound, impartial investigation. The commission also raised concerns over the circulation of material that could reveal the minor’s identity.
The police have also taken action against the circulation of the footage itself. According to India Today, an FIR has been registered against around 120 social media profiles for allegedly sharing the video in a manner that revealed the identity of the minor victim. Police have described the circulation of such footage as a serious offence.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Jamui case raises two responsibilities that must go hand in hand: ensuring safety and dignity for young people, and ensuring that allegations are investigated through a fair, transparent legal process. The alleged harassment of minors cannot be normalised, filmed for entertainment, or circulated online at the cost of a victim’s privacy. At the same time, every person accused of a crime must be dealt with through due process, with the facts established through a proper investigation and the courts.
The focus should remain on protecting the teenagers, preventing further circulation of material that could expose their identities, bringing all those allegedly responsible before the law, and ensuring that accountability is based on evidence rather than public anger. The incident is also a reminder that bystanders and social-media users have a responsibility not to turn another person’s trauma into viral content.
How can communities, authorities and social-media platforms work together to make public spaces safer while protecting victims’ dignity and ensuring due process?
Also Read: 3 Arrested, SIT Formed After Minors Allegedly Assaulted In Bihar’s Jamui | Know More
