Opposition members protest outside Bihar Assembly.
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Opposition members staged a strong protest in the porticos of the Bihar Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council on Monday, demanding that the CBI investigation into the death of a NEET aspirant be conducted under the supervision of a sitting judge of the High Court or the Supreme Court.
The protest was led by CPI(ML) Legislative Council member Shashi Yadav. During the demonstration, opposition leaders levelled serious allegations against the state government and the police administration, calling for an impartial and transparent investigation. Members of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) were also present in the Council and extended support to the protest.
Opposition members alleged that instead of reaching the real culprits in the case, the police were harassing the deceased student’s family. RJD leaders claimed that repeated questioning of the family was subjecting them to mental harassment. They said the role of the police was under suspicion and that there had been serious lapses in the initial investigation.
Addressing the protest, Shashi Yadav said that incidents of crime against girls were continuously coming to light in Bihar. She referred to the incident involving a student at Shambhu Girls’ Hostel and also cited the case of four girls who allegedly died by suicide in Aurangabad as examples.
“Cases of rape and harassment are increasing in the state, but the government does not appear to be taking these matters seriously. There is also laxity in the arrest of offenders. The government’s lack of sensitivity is evident,” she said.
Shashi Yadav pointed out that although the government had handed over the probe into the NEET aspirant’s death to the CBI, merely changing the investigating agency would not ensure justice. She demanded that the CBI investigation be conducted under the supervision of a sitting High Court or Supreme Court judge to prevent any tampering with evidence and to ensure that no attempt is made to shield the guilty. Judicial monitoring, she said, would make the investigation transparent and restore confidence among the victim’s family.
Meanwhile, on the second day of the budget session, opposition members created an uproar in the Bihar Assembly. Holding placards in the Assembly portico, they raised slogans against the government over the NEET aspirant’s death. Members of the RJD, Congress and Left parties demanded that the government break its silence on the issue. As many as 25 members questioned the state’s law and order situation.
The opposition accused the government of negligence in the investigation and alleged attempts to protect those responsible. They said that at the initial stage, the police administration ignored several crucial aspects of the case and failed to take timely action, which only deepened suspicion. Had the investigation been conducted fairly and sensitively from the outset, they argued, such protests would not have been necessary.
The opposition has urged the government to take the matter seriously, place the CBI probe under judicial supervision, and take concrete steps to ensure justice for the deceased student’s family.
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