Jamui Harassment Accused's Mother Alleges Staged Encounter, Seeks 'One More Chance'

The mother of the main accused in the alleged harassment of a minor girl and her male companion in Bihar's Jamui district has alleged that the police encounter in which her son was shot in the leg was staged, and has appealed to the government to give him "one more chance to reform."

Speaking about the circumstances of his arrest, the woman claimed her son was caught near a cowshed close to a river and that police later placed weapons or contraband in his hands to make the encounter appear genuine. She said she was not informed about the incident at first and learnt of it later, adding that she did not know the exact time of the arrest because police had taken her to the station.

"They just put on a show to save their jobs. He was among the buffaloes near the river when they caught him," she said, alleging that her son had gone to the spot after a local village boy summoned him over the phone.

She further alleged that her son apologised on seeing the police but was abused and forced to run before being shot in the leg. "My son took just two steps, and they shot him in the leg," she said, claiming that weapons or contraband were then handed to him to make the encounter look genuine. She added that she had not personally witnessed the shooting but had heard from others that he was hit in the leg.

Describing her son as innocent, she said he usually lived away from home and worked as a driver. He had returned home to take her back from her parents' house and had stayed on to help with farming work, planning to leave after Vishwakarma Puja. She also said that all those who were in his company should receive the same punishment.

On September 22, police sources said the main accused in the alleged harassment of the minor and her male companion was shot in the leg during an encounter in the Town Police Station area. The action followed the circulation of a purported video on social media showing a minor girl and her male companion allegedly being harassed and molested by a group of youths in Jamui.

Jamui Superintendent of Police Vishwajeet Dayal said police received information about the incident on September 21 through the viral video, after which an FIR was registered and a Special Investigation Team was formed. Three accused were initially arrested, and Bihar Additional Director General (Law and Order) KS Anupam later confirmed the arrest of Nandan Yadav along with his accomplices.

Meanwhile, the parents of the minor victim met Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and demanded strict action against those accused of harassing their daughter. The victim's mother said she was satisfied with the government's response and that the Chief Minister had assured the family of her daughter's safety and education.

Police have invoked relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the case. The National Commission for Women has also taken suo motu cognisance of the matter.