Patna witnessed intense public and political scrutiny after a 17-year-old NEET aspirant from Bihar’s Jehanabad district died following her discovery in an unconscious state inside her room at a private girls’ hostel, triggering protests, allegations, and a multi-layered police investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The student was staying at Shambhu Girls’ Hostel in Chitragupta Nagar, an area with a large concentration of hostels housing students preparing for competitive examinations. According to police, the incident came to light on the evening of January 9, when hostel staff noticed that the girl was not responding for an extended period.
Her room was found locked from the inside. After repeated attempts to call out to her failed, the door was broken open, and she was found unconscious. She was immediately taken to a local clinic and later referred to another medical facility for better treatment, officials said.
Medical Treatment and Early Findings
Police said the family later admitted the girl to a different hospital, where she remained under treatment from January 6 to January 10. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to another hospital, where she died during treatment on January 11, officers confirmed.
During an initial inspection of the hostel room, investigators reported the recovery of sleeping pills and suspected poison-related substances. Based on preliminary medical indicators, police initially examined the possibility of poisoning or overdose.
At that stage, authorities said there was no immediate confirmation of sexual assault. Investigators focused on how the substances were accessed, whether they were consumed voluntarily, and whether any third party could have been involved. Materials from the room were seized for forensic and chemical analysis, and police appealed for restraint until laboratory reports were received.
Family Allegations and FIR
From the outset, the girl’s family alleged sexual assault and foul play. In an FIR lodged on January 9, the girl’s father stated that his daughter had left home on January 5 for the hostel and had spoken to him around 9 pm to confirm she had reached safely.
He said that the following evening, he was informed by a friend that the girl was lying unconscious in the hostel room. In the FIR, the father stated that his daughter had not regained consciousness since January 6 and was unable to speak.
He expressed suspicion that she had been assaulted inside the hostel, alleging that there were injury marks on her body and head, and that there may have been an attempt to establish physical relations after assault.
Based on the complaint, police invoked Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 76 (assault or use of criminal force on a woman with intent to disrobe), 109 (attempt to murder), and 3(5) (common intention).
Post-Mortem Findings
In view of the allegations, a medical board conducted a videographed post-mortem examination. According to an official press note issued on Thursday by the office of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Sadar-1, Patna, the autopsy report stated that sexual violence could not be ruled out in the case.
Police said the post-mortem report was received on Wednesday and examined by senior officers before further action was initiated. The press note acknowledged a change in medical opinion following the autopsy findings, stating that the seriousness of the observations warranted an expanded investigation.
Earlier Police Statements
Two days before the post-mortem report was received, City Superintendent of Police Parichay Kumar had told the media that the gynaecologist who examined the girl on the first day of her hospitalisation “had not found any evidence of sexual assault.”
The officer had also said that CCTV footage from the hostel did not indicate any foul play and that an examination of the girl’s mobile phone showed search history related to poison. He added that the girl’s urine report had indicated consumption of sleeping pills, while clarifying that further action would depend on the post-mortem findings.
After the autopsy report was reviewed, police acknowledged the shift in medical assessment.
SIT and Arrest
Following the post-mortem findings, Bihar Police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the case from all possible angles, including the hostel environment, medical treatment, forensic evidence, and digital records.
Police confirmed the arrest of the hostel owner, Manish Kumar Ranjan, stating that he was produced before a court. In the official note, police said the arrest was made in view of the seriousness of the case and that further legal action would be taken based on evidence emerging during the ongoing investigation.
Senior police officers have inspected the hostel premises, and statements of hostel staff, hospital officials, and other relevant individuals are being recorded.
Digital and CCTV Evidence
Investigators are analysing CCTV footage from inside the hostel and nearby areas to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the girl being found unconscious. Police are attempting to verify staff accounts and establish whether there was any unauthorised access to the premises.
The victim’s mobile phone has been seized, and call records, chat histories, and deleted data are being retrieved through digital forensic analysis. Police said digital evidence is being examined alongside medical and forensic findings to determine whether there was any external involvement.
Protests and Police Action
After the girl’s death, her family intensified their protest. On Monday evening, relatives brought the body to Kargil Chowk near Gandhi Maidan, where they staged a demonstration that drew a large crowd and disrupted traffic.
Police from several stations were deployed, and the protesters were eventually dispersed using mild force to clear the area. Authorities later confirmed that a separate case was registered at Gandhi Maidan police station in connection with the alleged violent protest.
Police appealed to the public not to spread rumours and reiterated that the investigation would proceed strictly on the basis of evidence.
Status of the Investigation
Police officials said forensic and toxicology reports are awaited and are expected to play a decisive role in determining the cause of death. Expert medical opinions may be sought once laboratory findings are received.
The SIT continues to examine evidence, review digital data, and question individuals connected to the hostel and medical treatment. Authorities have maintained that no final conclusion has been reached and that responsibility will be fixed only after a comprehensive assessment of all findings.
