Rape Accused Injured in Police Encounter During Escape Bid
In a dramatic turn of events, Salman, the prime accused in the horrific rape of a six-year-old girl in Bhopal, was shot and injured while attempting to escape police custody. The incident occurred late on Friday night when the accused made a bold attempt to flee after seizing a police officer's firearm.
Superintendent of Police Raisen Ashutosh Gupta confirmed that the accused was being transported to Raisen when the police vehicle developed mechanical problems near Kiratnagar village in Bhojpur area. This breakdown provided Salman with an opportunity to make his escape attempt.
The Dramatic Escape Attempt
According to Sub-divisional officer of police (SDOP) Obedullaganj, Sheela Surana, the sequence of events unfolded between 4 and 5 AM. "He was taken into police custody and was being taken to Gouharganj. During this time, our vehicle suddenly got punctured," Surana explained.
Taking advantage of the situation, Salman managed to snatch the sub-inspector's gun and immediately started running from the scene. In a dangerous escalation, he fired at the police personnel who were accompanying him. The police responded with retaliatory fire, resulting in Salman being shot in the leg.
The injured accused was subsequently taken to Jai Prakash Hospital in Bhopal for immediate medical treatment. Police authorities have stated that further action will be determined based on medical advice regarding his condition.
Background of the Horrific Crime
The 23-year-old accused, identified as a resident of Sehore district, had come to Gauharganj area to work as a labourer. The crime that triggered massive public outrage occurred when Salman allegedly lured the young girl with chocolates while she was playing outside her home.
Police investigations reveal that he took the innocent child to a nearby forest area where he committed the brutal rape before fleeing the scene. When the girl failed to return home, her family initiated a frantic search throughout the area.
The breakthrough came when a local resident reported having seen the child walking with Salman earlier. This information raised immediate concerns, leading to an intensified search operation that eventually located the traumatized girl crying and covered in blood in the forest area.
Massive Police Operation and Public Outrage
In response to the heinous crime, police had deployed an extensive force of over 300 personnel to track down the accused. The massive manhunt utilized advanced technology including drones for aerial surveillance and traditional methods such as posting flyers on public vehicles.
The incident triggered widespread anger and protests across the region. Members of various right-wing organizations launched demonstrations demanding immediate arrest and capital punishment for the accused. The public outrage reached its peak when dozens of protestors blocked the Jaipur-Jabalpur highway on Saturday, raising slogans and expressing their fury.
Protests grew significantly larger on Sunday as the accused remained at large at that time. The delay in apprehension had further fueled public anger and demands for swift justice.
Current Medical Condition
The six-year-old victim from Goharganj continues to fight for her life at AIIMS Bhopal, where medical professionals have described her condition as critical. The young survivor remains under intensive medical care as she battles the physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon her.
Meanwhile, Salman remains under police guard while receiving medical treatment for his gunshot injury. The case has highlighted serious concerns about prisoner transport protocols and sparked debates about safety measures during such operations.
