Vigilant Citizens and Police Collaboration Lead to Arrest
In a significant development for a case that had gripped the nation, the prime accused in the Raisen rape case, Salman alias Nazar, was apprehended on Thursday night near the DCP (Zone-4) Office in Bhopal's Sector 11, Gandhi Nagar. The arrest was made possible by the sharp instincts of two local residents and the swift action of a head constable from Khajuri police station.
How the Suspicion Arose
The breakthrough came when two residents, Asif and Rizwan, recognized the suspect from Instagram reels that were widely shared online following the brutal incident. The case pertains to the rape and assault of a 6-year-old girl in Raisen on November 21, an event that triggered widespread public outrage.
Around 10-10.30 pm, Asif first noticed Salman wandering suspiciously in the area. The man appeared to be intoxicated and was looking for a room to rent. When Asif asked him for identity documents, Salman failed to provide any, which raised further suspicion. Acting quickly, Asif took a photo of the suspect and shared it with his friend, Rizwan.
Rizwan promptly arrived at the location. Upon questioning, the individual identified himself as Nazar—the very alias that was being circulated on social media in connection with the Raisen accused. This confirmation solidified their doubts.
The Citizen-Led Sting Operation
Sensing that he had been recognized, Salman attempted to flee. However, Asif and Rizwan, who work as labourers at construction sites, cleverly engaged him at a nearby tea stall. Under the pretext of helping him find accommodation, they managed to keep him occupied for nearly an hour.
Simultaneously, Rizwan alerted Head Constable Rahul Guru, who was formerly posted at the Gandhi Nagar police station and is now serving at Khajuri station. Rahul, familiar with the area from his previous posting, rushed to the spot immediately after receiving the photo.
Head Constable Rahul told sources that after spotting the suspect and noting the similarities with the circulated photos, he forwarded the image to SI Shyamraj Singh, who is in charge of the Sultanganj police station in Raisen. SI Shyamraj instructed Rahul to hold the suspect until a team could arrive.
Within minutes, a police team from Raisen reached the tea stall, positively identified Salman, and took him into custody.
Background and Demeanor of the Accused
According to local accounts, Salman had been roaming in the neighbourhood for some time and was even seen sitting inside a parked auto-rickshaw earlier. He claimed to have no identity documents, such as an Aadhar card, or a mobile phone. Some residents revealed that Salman had lived in the same locality about two years ago and worked as a whitewashing contractor.
During the encounter, he allegedly tried to mislead the police by claiming to be from Ashta and denying any involvement in criminal activities. Witnesses noted his unusually confident demeanour, which suggested a lack of remorse.
In a heartening conclusion, Asif and Rizwan stated that if any reward is announced for their role in the arrest, they would donate it to the family of the minor survivor, highlighting the community's solidarity in seeking justice.
