144-Hour Manhunt Ends with Arrest of Rape Suspect in Dramatic Police Encounter

Twenty-three-year-old Salman, also known as Nazar, was apprehended Thursday night following an extensive 144-hour search operation after being accused of raping a six-year-old girl in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district.

The suspect, who had a Rs 30,000 bounty placed on him, was captured in Bhopal in a dramatic sequence that ended with police shooting him in the leg during an escape attempt. He is currently receiving treatment at Hamidia Hospital.

Authorities located Salman at a tea stall near Gandhi Nagar police station in Bhopal. Investigations revealed he had been in the capital city for three days, spending nights outdoors near an acquaintance's residence who neither sheltered him nor alerted police.

Local residents provided the crucial tip leading to his arrest. Salman, who had previously worked at the same tea establishment two years earlier, was attempting to rent accommodation in the Gandhi Nagar area without identification documents, which raised suspicions among residents who then contacted law enforcement.

After his arrest, while being transferred between police stations, Salman reportedly attempted to escape custody in a forested area. Police responded by shooting him in the leg to prevent his flight.

The assault allegedly occurred on November 21 when the young victim was playing outside her home. According to reports, Salman lured her with the promise of chocolate before taking her to a nearby forest where he committed the assault and fled.

The child was discovered by family members who began searching after noticing her absence and learning she was last seen with Salman. Medical examination at a government hospital confirmed the assault, after which she was transferred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Bhopal where her condition is reportedly improving.

The case has sparked significant public outrage. Members of the Jai Maa Bhavani Hindu organization gathered at Gandhi Nagar police station upon learning of Salman's arrest, amid widespread demonstrations demanding severe punishment.

In response to the situation's gravity, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav conducted an emergency meeting with senior officials, expressing dissatisfaction regarding the delayed arrest and management of subsequent protests. The Chief Minister ordered the immediate reassignment of Raisen Superintendent of Police Pankaj Pandey to headquarters, appointing Ashutosh as his replacement.