Rape accused Salman sought hideout in Bhopal before arrest:Held by youths and handed to police; tried snatching SI’s pistol in custody, injured in brief encounter

The Goharganj rape case accused, Salman, was arrested on Thursday night in Bhopal’s Gandhi Nagar. For several days, he had been moving around the city, sleeping on footpaths and surviving on limited money, all while wearing a mask to hide his identity. On the day of his arrest, the accused spent hours searching for a rented room in the Gandhi Nagar area. His movements raised suspicion among local youths, who stopped him, questioned him, and—after finding his behaviour odd—detained him and handed him over to the police. The police had announced a reward of Rs 30,000 for his capture. Three youths—Abdul, Rizwan and Asif—played a crucial role in identifying him. They later stated that they did not want the reward and wished the amount to be given to the victim’s family. How the encounter happened According to DCP Ashutosh Gupta, the Bhopal police team was transporting Salman from Gandhi Nagar to hand him over to Raisen police. Near Keerthanagar, the vehicle ahead developed a puncture, forcing the convoy to stop. When officers stepped out, Salman also alighted and suddenly snatched the pistol of SI Shyam Raj from Sultanpur police outpost. Salman fired two rounds at the police and attempted to fire again despite warnings. In self-defence, the police fired four rounds, one of which hit his leg. The encounter took place between 3:00 and 3:30 am on Friday. High pulse and blood pressure out of fear After being shot, Salman was taken to JP Hospital at around 4:45 am. Doctors observed high pulse rate and blood pressure, indicating extreme fear and significant blood loss. After primary treatment, he was referred to Bhopal’s Hamidia Hospital, where he underwent surgery on his leg. A magistrate reached the hospital and granted police remand after examining his condition. Accused confessed he chose the child as a ‘soft target’ During questioning on the way to Goharganj, Salman admitted that he targeted the child because she seemed like a “soft target.” He said he had not expected the case to escalate or his identity to become public. He confessed that after the assault, when the girl screamed, he beat her fearing he would be caught, and fled through forest routes before reaching Bhopal. The crime: Lured girl with chocolate On November 21, the six-year-old girl was playing outside her home when Salman lured her with the promise of chocolate and took her into a forested area. He raped her and fled the spot. The child was later found crying in the forest and was rushed to AIIMS Bhopal, where she is still undergoing treatment. Child undergoes complex surgery; long recovery ahead Doctors treating the girl said her private parts were severely damaged, forcing them to bypass nerves to allow basic bodily functions and initiate healing. She remains in the ICU and can talk, but risk of infection remains high. Full recovery will take at least six months, and doctors remain uncertain about complete restoration of normalcy. Public outrage and administrative action The incident triggered massive protests across Goharganj and nearby areas, with people demanding Salman’s hanging or immediate encounter. For five consecutive days, locals held demonstrations and Chakkajams. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed displeasure over the delay in arrest and the police’s slow response to protests. He removed Raisen SP Pankaj Pandey and appointed Ashutosh Gupta as the new SP.
Following the crime, six districts deployed police forces in the area, with more than 500 personnel and Quick Response Teams maintaining order. Streets remained deserted, and curfew-like conditions prevailed. Accused was a ‘permanent warrantee’ Police records show Salman was already a permanent warrantee in a 2019 case of housebreaking and mobile theft filed in Shahganj, Budhni. After repeatedly skipping court hearings, a permanent warrant was issued against him in 2023.