CBI probe begins in Patna NEET aspirant death case

Shambhu Girls Hostel sign in Patna with an inset of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has formally commenced its investigation into the tragic death of a NEET aspirant in a Patna hostel. The move comes after weeks of intense public outcry and demands for transparency. The CBI probe begins in Patna NEET aspirant death case following a formal request from the Bihar government to ensure an impartial inquiry into the incident that occurred last month.

The central agency’s intervention marks a significant turning point in a case that has gripped the capital of Bihar. According to sources within the agency, investigators have already started reviewing the initial First Information Reports (FIRs) and evidence collected by the local police. The student, who was preparing for the highly competitive medical entrance exam, passed away during treatment, leading to widespread speculation and parental grief.

Initial reports from the hostel site suggested a possible lapse in safety and supervision. While some quarters raised concerns regarding a potential sexual assault, medical professionals in Patna have not confirmed any penetrative or sexual violence. However, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reportedly discovered biological traces on the clothing of the deceased, which has now become a central piece of forensic evidence for the CBI to analyze.

Seeking Justice at Jantar Mantar

The delay in the local investigation prompted the victim’s family to take their plea to the national capital. On February 8, the parents of the deceased joined a group of protestors at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. They expressed deep dissatisfaction with the pace of the Bihar Police’s inquiry, stating that they felt “forced” to seek central intervention to ensure the truth behind their daughter’s death is revealed.

The father of the student emphasized that the local authorities failed to provide the necessary support during the initial days of the tragedy. This public pressure, combined with the sensitive nature of the case, led Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to announce that the Nitish Kumar-led government had urged the Centre to hand the case over to the CBI on January 31.

Accountability and Police Suspension

The Patna Police administration has already faced internal heat regarding the handling of the matter. Two senior officers, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of Chitragupta Nagar and the Additional SHO of Kadamkuan, were suspended earlier this month. The grounds for their suspension included a failure to collect timely intelligence and a significant delay in procedural actions.

CBI probe begins in Patna NEET aspirant death case forensic team

The suspension followed a press statement from the Patna Police admitting that administrative lapses occurred. Senior officials noted that proactive policing could have potentially preserved more evidence in the crucial hours following the discovery of the student’s condition. The CBI is expected to question these suspended officers as part of their broader investigation into procedural negligence.

The Role of Forensic Evidence

A critical component of the ongoing inquiry revolves around the DNA profiling initiated by the FSL. Traces of human sperm were allegedly found on the garments of the victim, a detail that contradicts some of the early medical assessments. The CBI’s specialized forensic teams are likely to conduct a fresh analysis of these samples to match them with the DNA of suspects identified by the previously formed Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The hostel authorities have also come under fire for non-cooperation. Parents of other students at the facility staged protests, claiming that the environment had become hostile and that students were unable to focus on their studies. The CBI is expected to record statements from the hostel management and fellow students to reconstruct the timeline of events leading up to the tragedy.

Broader Implications for Student Safety

This case has reignited the conversation around the safety of students in coaching hubs. Patna, much like Kota, houses thousands of aspirants who live in private hostels with varying levels of regulation. The CBI probe begins in Patna NEET aspirant death case as a measure to not only find justice for one family but to address the systemic failures in student housing security.

Legal experts suggest that the CBI will look into whether there was any attempt to suppress evidence at the local level. The agency’s involvement usually brings a higher level of technical expertise, especially in cases involving complex forensic data and cross-jurisdictional witnesses.

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