Masked accused in Jamui assault video shot in leg during police operation, arrested

Nandan Yadav, the masked accused allegedly seen assaulting a 16-year-old schoolgirl in a video from Bihar’s Jamui that triggered widespread outrage, was arrested Tuesday after being shot in the leg during a police operation, officials said. His associate, identified by police as Hari Ram Yadav, was also arrested.

Police said the two were traced by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) during an operation near the Kundan Braj area on the Jamui-Lakhisarai road, around 5 km from the site of the alleged assault. According to police, the accused attempted to flee and attacked the police team, following which personnel opened fire. Nandan sustained a bullet injury to his leg. Police did not immediately disclose further details about the circumstances leading to the firing.

Two more accused held

The arrests came after police identified seven people in connection with the September 19 incident, in which two Class 10 students — a boy and a 16-year-old girl — were allegedly stopped while returning from a local tourist spot.

Police alleged that members of the group passed vulgar remarks, assaulted the boy and sexually assaulted the girl as the two pleaded for help. Nandan, whose face was covered with a gamcha, was allegedly seen in one of the videos grabbing and dragging the girl away.

The incident came to wider attention after videos circulated on social media, prompting the Bihar Police to constitute an SIT headed by sub-divisional police officer Deepti Monali. Jamui Superintendent of Police Vishwajeet Dayal had earlier said seven people were identified with the help of the video clips.

Three suspects arrested earlier in connection with the assault were subsequently identified by police as minors. With Nandan and Hari Ram Yadav now in custody, the investigation into the remaining accused and the circumstances surrounding the incident is continuing.

Three held over videos

In a parallel investigation into the circulation of the footage, police arrested three people — Ramashish Chaudhary, Kundan Kumar and Mohammad Faiyaaj — for allegedly sharing the video clips.

Police said a technical team had traced the origin and circulation of the videos that appeared on social media. Investigators are also trying to establish who recorded the footage and how it was subsequently shared, including through messaging groups.

The circulation of footage involving a minor has become a separate focus of the investigation. Police have also warned social media users against sharing material that could reveal the identity of the minor survivor.

The case has triggered widespread outrage and intensified scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the attack, while police continue their search for others allegedly involved.