Patna police form SIT to probe NEET aspirant's death after post-mortem report confirms sexual assault
Patna: Patna Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the death of a NEET aspirant who was found unconscious in her hostel room and later died during treatment.
The SIT was formed after the post-mortem report was received, despite the police earlier ruling out foul play.
Bihar Police Chief Vinay Kumar directed Patna Range IG Jitendra Rana to investigate the case following allegations of sexual assault by the victim’s family. An FIR has been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the hostel owner has been arrested to prevent evidence tampering. The SIT, headed by the City SP (East), includes two DSPs and two inspectors, with women officers included.
According to the recent HT report, an FIR has been registered at Chitragupta Nagar police station under sections 126(2)/115(2)/76/109/3(5) of the BNS Act. Meanwhile, the hostel owner has been arrested to prevent tampering with evidence.
The student, who was preparing for the medical entrance examination to improve her rank after qualifying earlier for a dental course, was found unconscious in her hostel room on the morning of January 6. She was admitted to a hospital, where she died on January 11.
The incident came to light when the girl's family filed an FIR alleging assault and misconduct, claiming that the girl had injuries on her body. However, the police initially dismissed these allegations.
The police officials had earlier informed TOI that a gynaecologist who examined the girl found no evidence of sexual assault, and her statement during treatment was recorded under the e-Sakshya system. “Urine analysis detected sleeping pills in her body, and similar pills were recovered from her room. Investigators are probing their source and usage. CCTV footage from the hostel and surrounding areas showed no signs of foul play, and the hard drive has been seized for forensic examination,” he said.
