Medcal aspirant’s death: Family protests at Jantar Mantar, demands fair probe

Patna: The family of the medical aspirant, who died under suspicious circumstances at a girls’ hostel in Patna, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday. The victim’s parents, who have consistently alleged a cover-up and expressed distrust in the Bihar Police and the state administration, travelled to the national capital despite several challenges. They demanded an impartial investigation into the case.

The protest at Jantar Mantar was originally expected to draw support from Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, the Independent MP from Purnia. He had been vocal about the case, met the family and raised demands for justice in Parliament. However, his arrest late Friday night in connection with a 31-year-old case prevented him from joining the protest.


Undeterred by the development, the parents said they would continue their fight. “Pappu Yadav will not be able to join the protest, but we are going with the confidence that our daughter will get justice,” they said.

The victim’s mother alleged that she was offered money by the wife of the hostel owner. “I am a mother. I will become a monster to get justice for my daughter,” she said.

Reacting to the MP’s arrest, the woman told TOI, “Pappu ji asked us to come with him to Delhi and protest for justice for my daughter. He consistently raised his voice for justice for my daughter. The govt does not want my daughter to get justice.”

The minor student from Jehanabad district, who was preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), was found unconscious in her hostel room on Jan 6, shortly after returning to the hostel in Patna. She died on Jan 11 after spending several days in a coma at a private hospital.

While the police investigation initially pointed to suicide, citing traces of sleeping pills, the post-mortem report indicated evidence of possible sexual violence. Subsequent forensic analysis detected traces of semen on her clothes, further strengthening allegations of rape before her death. In the wake of mounting pressure, the state govt formally recommended a CBI probe into the case on Jan 31.