Key Accused in Bihar Groping Horror Shot in Encounter as Five Arrested; Political Outrage Grows

Five individuals have been arrested and a manhunt has been launched for others following a widely shared video depicting the harassment and assault of a minor boy and girl in Bihar's Jamui district. The incident occurred around 7:00 PM on September 19, 2026, as the two Class 10 students were returning from a coaching class on the Jamui-Lakhisarai road. 

Although no formal complaint was lodged initially, police tracked down the victims using a vehicle registration number visible in the viral clip after it surfaced on social media. Subsequently, an FIR (No. 428/2026) was registered at the Jamui police station under the POCSO Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), while authorities initiated steps to remove the objectionable video from social media platforms. Early Tuesday morning, the key accused, identified as Nandan Yadav, the man in the bright orange headgear seen assaulting the victim, was shot in the leg during a police encounter after allegedly attempting to escape from custody while being taken to the crime scene for an investigation. Overall, five adult suspects have been arrested in connection with the case alongside two additional minor suspects. 

The incident has triggered widespread political and institutional reactions. National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar directed the Bihar DGP to immediately file an FIR, ensure comprehensive security, legal aid, and psychological counseling for the victims, and halt the circulation of the video. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi called the incident "deeply disturbing" and demanded strict prosecution under the POCSO Act, while Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge demanded harsh punishment for the culprits. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and other opposition leaders also criticized the ruling administration over the state of law and order and women's safety. In response, state ministers, including Rural Works Minister Sunil Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, and Jamui MLA/Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh, condemned the incident as tragic and shameful, assuring the public that no culprit will be spared and strict legal action will follow.