Main suspect in Bhopal rape-and-blackmail case injured during ‘escape bid'

Indian Express

03-05-2025

The main suspect in the alleged sexual assault of some college students in Bhopal was accidentally shot in the leg while trying to escape police custody, police said Saturday.
According to police, the accused, identified as Farhan, was being taken for evidence collection from Bhopal 's Bilkisganj when the incident occurred. The suspect told the police he wanted to attend nature's call and had them stop the vehicle, DCP Zone-1 Priyanka Shukla said.
This comes days after multiple college students — including a minor — levelled rape, blackmail and sexual assault allegations against some men. According to the police, five victims have come forward and lodged FIRs in different police stations of Bhopal, leading to the arrest of five of six suspects in the case.
'Then he tried to snatch the sub-inspector's pistol. In the process, the pistol fired and Farhan got shot in the leg. He has been admitted to the hospital and further investigation is underway,' she said.
Meanwhile, the rape and blackmail allegations have also become a political issue, with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav saying his government will not tolerate 'jihad or love jihad' in the state.
Soon after Saturday's incident, MP's Sports and Youth Affairs Vishwas Sarang also waded into the row when he demanded to know why the accused 'was not shot in the chest'.
'He should have been shot in the chest. People like this are a burden on the planet and don't have the right to live. People who indulge in love jihad have no right to live in this country and state,' he said.
The allegations have led the Bhopal police to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT). According to police sources, the alleged mastermind, Farhan Khan alias Faraz owns a restaurant near the engineering college. Most of the suspects and the victims are believed to have studied together at the college.
The suspects, who have been accused of 'having hidden their religious identities' and trapped the women, have been booked for rape, blackmail, and intimidation as well as under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The sixth suspect, identified as Abrar Khan and said to be a resident of Muzaffarpur in Bihar, is still absconding, police said.