The Bihar government has recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of a female NEET aspirant in Patna after her parents alleged sexual assault and efforts to cover it up.
The deceased, who had been preparing for the medical entrance exam, was found unconscious in her hostel room in Chitragupt Nagar, Patna, earlier this month. She died at a private hospital on January 11 after remaining in a coma for several days.
“Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has urged the Government of India to hand over the investigation into the NEET student's death (Case No- 14/26) to the CBI. The incident must be thoroughly and transparently investigated,” said Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who also holds the home portfolio, in a post on X.
A special team of the state police is already investigating the case. The CBI may now register a separate case on the basis of the FIR registered by Patna Police. The agency sleuths will collect all evidence obtained by the state police and will also record the statements of suspects, the arrested person, hospital staff, family members and policemen, who had initially investigated the case.
The girl’s parents have alleged that she was sexually assaulted, claiming that the state police attempted to downplay the matter by treating it as a case of suicide. One person, an employee of the hostel, has been arrested in connection with the case.
On Friday, high drama unfolded outside the residence of DGP Vinay Kumar, where the bereaved parents, hailing from the neighboring district of Jehanabad, met him to raise their grievances.
“Today, our hopes for justice have been dashed. The DGP said he is treating the case as that of suicide. He offered to arrange a meeting with Home minister Samrat Choudhary if we were not satisfied. We are crestfallen,” the deceased’s mother told reporters.
Meanwhile, a forensic report on the girl’s clothes, which she had been wearing at the time of hospitalisation, has detected traces of semen, strongly suggesting the possibility of sexual assault and harassment.
“DNA profile from the traces of semen detected in the forensic report is being obtained, and it will be matched with DNA profiles of the arrested persons and other suspects. That is the reason DNA samples are being collected of several persons as part of the investigation into the case,” a senior police official told PTI.
