Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has made a strong statement over the suspected death of a NEET aspirant from Jehanabad at a girls’ hostel in Patna, saying the Bihar government is taking all necessary steps and that the guilty will not be spared under any circumstances.
Manjhi said the state government is treating the matter with utmost seriousness. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has already been constituted and is continuously probing the case while collecting vital evidence. He stated that all possible action is being taken within the framework of law, and if any complication arises, the Union Home Ministry will also be approached.
He reiterated that the Bihar government has initiated every required step, the SIT has been formed, and the Central Bureau of Investigation has also taken charge of the case. Whoever is responsible for the crime will not escape punishment, and strict action will be taken against all those involved. Measures will also be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future.
The suspicious death of the NEET aspirant, who was preparing for the medical entrance examination at Shambhu Girls’ Hostel under the Chitragupt Nagar police station area, has sent shockwaves across Bihar. The student was found unconscious in her room late on Sunday evening. Hostel staff rushed her to hospital, where she died during treatment.
The family has levelled serious allegations of rape followed by murder. They claimed there was a delay in informing them about the incident. Upon reaching Patna, they were allegedly given conflicting versions by the hostel management. The victim’s father alleged that CCTV footage was deliberately deleted to suppress the truth. The family also claimed that sleeping pills were placed in the room to project the case as suicide.
It has further been alleged that the hostel operator attempted to hush up the matter by offering money. At the time of hospital admission, the student’s condition was extremely critical. She was unable to speak and showed no bodily movement. A junior doctor at Prabhat Memorial Hospital reportedly expressed suspicion after noticing injuries and head trauma.
Considering the seriousness of the case, police headquarters constituted an SIT under the leadership of Patna Zonal IG Jitendra Rana. The IG personally visited the spot and conducted an inspection. He stated that the SIT is examining all aspects thoroughly and that no possibility can be ruled out at this stage.
According to police, the student’s urine sample report dated 8 January indicated an overdose of sleeping medication. In addition, the mobile phone search history revealed searches related to sleeping pills and suicide on 24 December and 5 January. Police clarified that this is only one aspect of the investigation and it would be premature to draw final conclusions.
The investigation is being conducted with complete impartiality and seriousness, and no guilty person will be spared, said Rana.
Injury marks also under scrutiny: ASP Sadar Abhinav Kumar said that preliminary investigation has not confirmed sexual assault, but it cannot be completely ruled out either. Scratch marks found on the student’s body are also part of the investigation.
Injuries and scratch marks on the shoulder and other parts of the body are being examined. A medical board was constituted, and the post-mortem was conducted with videography. The final report is awaited.
On 13 January, the family carried the body to Kargil Chowk and began protesting. A large crowd gathered within minutes, forcing police to erect barricades. Personnel from Gandhi Maidan, Kadamkuan, Jakkanpur, Pirbahore and five police stations were deployed. As the situation escalated, police had to use mild force to restore order.
In a press release, Patna Police stated that the possibility of rape cannot be ruled out. In view of the gravity of the case, the building owner of Shambhu Girls’ Hostel, Manish Kumar Ranjan, has been arrested and produced before the court. Further action, police said, will depend on the post-mortem report and other technical evidence.
The incident has triggered intense political reactions, with questions being raised on social media over the police handling of the case. Meanwhile, both the state government and police headquarters have maintained that the matter is being investigated with full seriousness.
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