Rape accused shot in leg while allegedly trying to escape police custody in Assam’s Chirang

A rape accused was shot in the leg by police in Assam’s Chirang district while allegedly attempting to escape custody during an investigation, police said.

The injured accused, identified as Nasirul Sheikh, is undergoing treatment under tight security at the JSB Civil Hospital in Kajalgaon, the district headquarters.

According to police, Sheikh is the main accused in the alleged rape of a tribal Class 10 student. Three men had allegedly lured the minor and sexually assaulted her before circulating a video of the incident on social media.

Sheikh, a resident of Bartalowa village under Kajalgaon police station, was taken into three-day judicial custody on Sunday, August 16, as police continued their investigation.

Police said that while the accused was being taken to a location as part of the investigation, he allegedly pushed the police personnel and attempted to flee.

Police fired at him, and he sustained a gunshot injury to his leg. He was subsequently taken to the JSB Civil Hospital in Kajalgaon, where he is undergoing treatment under tight security.