Patna NEET aspirant death case: semen traces found, two police officers suspended

Police investigations into the death of an 18 year old NEET aspirant in Patna have deepened amid disturbing forensic findings, mounting public anger and sharp criticism from medical experts, with the case now widely seen as one marked by serious lapses and possible sexual violence.

The incident occurred at Shambhu Girls Hostel in Patna’s Chitragupt Nagar area , where the student, a resident of Jehanabad, was staying while preparing for the national medical entrance examination. She was found unconscious in her hostel room on January 6 and was shifted to hospitals over the following days. After remaining in a coma, she died at a private hospital on January 11 . From the very beginning, her family alleged that she had been sexually assaulted and accused the authorities of attempting to suppress the truth and rush to a convenient conclusion.

Those allegations gained fresh weight after police confirmed that a forensic science laboratory report detected semen traces on the clothes the student was wearing at the time of hospitalisation , particularly her leggings. Officials said the clothes were handed over by the family on January 10 and sent for examination, and that a DNA profile will now be prepared and matched with those of the arrested accused and other suspects by the Special Investigation Team probing the case. The post mortem report had already recorded injuries to her private parts and nail abrasions on her body , and stated that sexual violence could not be ruled out.

These findings stand in stark contrast to the initial claims made by police and doctors , who had said the student died after consuming a large quantity of sleeping pills and was suffering from typhoid, maintaining that there were no signs of sexual assault and citing CCTV footage to support their stand. Those assertions triggered widespread outrage, with the family and civil society groups alleging an attempt to prematurely shut down the case.

Public anger spilled onto the streets of Patna, leading to protests and sharp criticism of the police response. Under mounting pressure, Patna Police late Saturday night suspended two officers for dereliction of duty . Hemant Jha , additional officer in charge of Kadamkuan police station, and Roshni Kumari , officer in charge of Chitragupt Nagar police station, were placed under suspension for alleged failures in the crucial early stages of the investigation, including delays, lack of proper supervision and lapses in evidence handling. Earlier, following protests, the owner of the girls’ hostel had also been arrested.

The controversy has been compounded by concerns raised by a five member medical board at AIIMS Patna , which is reviewing the post mortem report and related circumstances. Speaking to reporters, board head Dr Binay Kumar , professor of forensic medicine and toxicology, said the investigation team has not shared all essential records. “We have not been provided with all crucial documents related to the case by the SIT so far, on the basis of which we can draw a conclusion or give our opinion,” he said. He added, “ The documents which have been provided to the board are not sufficient enough. We are still waiting for some more crucial documents. The SIT is already investigating the case and the medical board has also started examining the documents. ” Dr Kumar, however, declined to specify which documents were still pending.

The case has since taken on wider political and social significance, with opposition leaders, rights groups and citizens questioning the safety of women students living in private hostels and alleging systemic negligence. The Bihar State Women’s Commission has sought details of registered and unregistered girls’ hostels in Patna, stressing the need for stricter monitoring and safeguards in the wake of this and another recent death of a NEET aspirant in the city.