Nandan Yadav, key accused in the Jamui minor harassment case
NEW DELHI: The primary accused in the widely condemned harassment and molestation of two Class 10 students in Bihar’s Jamui district was shot in the leg and taken into custody on Tuesday after an encounter with police.
Officials said Nandan Yadav, identified from the viral video as the man who played a leading role in the assault, opened fire while attempting to flee, prompting police to return fire. He is currently undergoing treatment at a government hospital.
Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) K.S. Anupam confirmed that all seven accused identified in connection with the September 19 incident have now been arrested.
Three were detained on Monday, with the remaining four, including Yadav and another accused named Hare Ram Yadav (also reported as Hareram Yadav), taken into custody on Tuesday. Hare Ram Yadav also sustained a leg injury during the operation.
What Happened on September 19
The incident occurred in the evening near Madwa Pahad, a hilly area in Jamui, roughly three kilometres from the Jamui-Lakhisarai main road.
Two minor Class 10 students, a boy and a girl who attended the same coaching institute, were returning on a scooter after classes when a group of men stopped them.
The group forced the pair off the vehicle, assaulted the boy, and subjected the girl to physical harassment and molestation.
Video footage that later circulated widely on social media showed the girl being grabbed by the neck, lifted, and carried a short distance by a man wearing a bright orange or saffron head covering (identified as Nandan Yadav), while she struggled.
The boy attempted to intervene as the group continued the assault. The students were eventually allowed to leave after the episode, which lasted several minutes.
Jamui Superintendent of Police Vishwajeet Dayal stated that no formal complaint was lodged by the victims until after the video went viral.
Police traced the students using the registration number of a vehicle visible in the footage, recorded their statements, and registered an FIR. The case has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (including those addressing assault with intent to outrage modesty and related common intention provisions) along with sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Police Response and Special Investigation Team
A Special Investigation Team headed by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Deepti Monali, a woman officer, was constituted to probe the matter comprehensively. Police identified approximately seven individuals from the video analysis. Early arrests on Monday included three accused, some of whom are minors.
On Tuesday, during efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects, including operations near the crime scene area, Nandan Yadav allegedly attempted to escape and fired at police personnel. Officers returned fire, injuring him in the leg. He was then arrested and hospitalised. ADG Anupam described the sequence as Yadav firing while fleeing, with police retaliating.
Police have also acted against the circulation of the video. Sharing material that could reveal the identity of a minor victim is a serious offence under the POCSO Act, the Information Technology Act, and the Juvenile Justice Act.
Officials have flagged numerous social media accounts, with reports citing action against dozens of profiles, and one individual, Ramashish Chaudhary, was arrested in connection with making the footage viral. SP Dayal has publicly warned against any disclosure of the victims’ identities.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said all those involved were being identified and assured that strict action would follow. A case has been registered under the POCSO Act.
Bihar Minister Shrawon Kumar described the episode as tragic and shameful. “It is very tragic. It is a shameful incident, and no matter how much it is condemned, it is not enough. Those who were involved in this incident were arrested yesterday, and the police are taking strict action against those who are guilty. Those who commit such acts will not be spared; the strictest action will be taken against them… The government is working to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” he said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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