Bhopal college students' rape case: Main accused shot, injured during escape bid

The case emerged on April 25 when three female students from a private college filed complaints, alleging they were raped and blackmailed with objectionable videos.

The main accused in the rape and blackmail case involving female students from a college in Bhopal was shot and injured after allegedly attempting to escape custody by snatching a policeman’s pistol, officials reported on Saturday.

The incident occurred on Friday night when the accused, Farhan Ali, was being transported to a crime scene for evidence collection.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Priyanka Shukla, Ali had confessed to staying in a room with another suspect, Abrar, in Bilkisganj. The police were taking Ali to the area to gather further evidence when the altercation took place.

While en route to Bilkisganj, the police vehicle was stopped in Sarwar village under the Ratibad police station area, as Ali requested to use the restroom. During the stop, Ali allegedly attempted to seize a sub-inspector’s pistol, leading to a scuffle. A shot was fired during the confrontation, resulting in Ali sustaining a gunshot wound to his leg. He was subsequently rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he is currently under medical care.

Farhan Ali, along with four other suspects, was arrested in connection with the case involving the rape and blackmail of several college students. The accused allegedly concealed their identities and coerced the victims into silence by threatening to release explicit videos of the assaults.

The police have registered multiple charges against Ali and the other accused under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape and gang-rape, as well as provisions under the Information Technology Act and the Freedom of Religion Act.

Ashoka Garden police station in-charge, Hemant Shrivastava, confirmed that the accused was being transported to Bilkisganj to search for Abrar and gather evidence when he attempted to flee. Two police officers were also injured in the incident.

Subsequently, a fourth victim came forward with similar allegations.

Protests erupted in Bhopal on Friday evening, with Hindu groups claiming that the case was linked to a broader “love jihad” conspiracy. The protests took place at 26 locations across the city, with demonstrators demanding justice for the victims.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has condemned the crime, stating that the state government would not tolerate any form of "jihad or love jihad" and vowed that the criminals would face severe consequences.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the case and formed a three-member inquiry committee, led by retired IPS officer and former Jharkhand Director General of Police Nirmal Kaur, to investigate further.