Patna: The main accused in the alleged molestation of a minor in Jamui was shot and injured in a police encounter during a search operation in the early hours of Tuesday, officials said.Nandan Yadav was arrested around 5am after police exchanged fire with him near Madwa Pahar. Police said Nandan opened fire on seeing the team, prompting retaliatory firing in self-defence, in which he was shot in the right leg. He was taken to a govt hospital for treatment.Bihar ADG (law and order) K Suhita Anupam confirmed the arrest. “The main accused, Nandan, who was seen molesting the minor in the viral video, had tried to escape while police were attempting to apprehend him, following which an encounter took place and he was shot in the leg,” she told this newspaper.Jamui SP Vishwajeet Dayal said three juveniles were initially detained and questioned on Monday. Police later learned that Nandan and Hareram Yadav were hiding in bushes near the river outside Pratappur village. An SIT cordoned off the area. Hareram allegedly tried to flee, fell and fractured his right leg before being apprehended. He subsequently provided information about Nandan’s whereabouts.Police said Nandan was the youth wearing a red scarf in the viral video. Two people have been arrested and three detained in connection with the video showing two minors allegedly being harassed by a group on a roadside. Police said both adult accused were involved in illegal sand mining and liquor, while their criminal histories were being verified.A separate FIR was registered at the cyber police station after websites and social media profiles were identified for circulating the video and revealing the identity of a minor. Around 120 websites and profiles have been identified and action is being taken.“Ramashish Kumar has been arrested. He had uploaded and circulated several such videos from his profile; that is why a case has been registered at the cyber police station. We have arrested three individuals in connection with this matter, incluidng Kundan Kumar and Faiyaz,” the SP said.Police appealed to people not to share or forward the video, warning of legal action.The incident occurred around 7pm on Sept 19. Police said the two minors were returning from tuition when they were stopped near Madwa Pahar and allegedly harassed and assaulted. The incident came to light on Monday after the video went viral. An FIR was registered under different sections of the Pocso Act.
