Bhopal: In a dramatic turn in the ongoing Bhopal rape and blackmail case, the main accused, Farhan Ali, sustained a gunshot injury after allegedly attempting to escape police custody on Friday night.

The incident took place near Sarwar village in the Ratibad police station limits, as the police were transporting him to Bilkisganj for evidence collection.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Priyanka Shukla, Ali tried to snatch a sub-inspector’s pistol under the pretext of needing to relieve himself. During the scuffle, a shot was accidentally fired, injuring Ali in the leg. He is currently receiving treatment in hospital.

The case has led to the arrest of five individuals who allegedly raped and blackmailed girl students of a private college in Bhopal. The victims claimed that the accused concealed their identities, sexually assaulted them, and later threatened them with explicit videos.

Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, IT Act, and the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act. The Ashoka Garden police station is leading the investigation.

On Friday, Hindu organisations staged protests across 26 locations in Bhopal, branding the case a serious instance of "love jihad". Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav affirmed that the state will not tolerate such crimes and that strict action will be taken.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and constituted a three-member inquiry committee led by retired IPS officer and former DGP of Jharkhand, Nirmal Kaur.