SIT intensifies probe into medical aspirant’s death

Patna: Investigators in Patna are intensifying efforts to identify the main accused in the death of a minor medical aspirant who was allegedly raped and later died during treatment at a private hospital. Relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act have been invoked in the case.

Blood samples were collected from the owner of the girls’ hostel and other people linked to the premises. This followed earlier sample collection from 11 others, including five family members in Jehanabad — her mother, father, two uncles, and brother — primarily to establish reference profiles and rule out familial matches.


Samples were also obtained from six young men who regularly visited or were associated with the hostel. Police sources said some of these individuals were present at or near the hostel around the time of the incident.

A senior official said that in total, 19-20 samples were collected from people who came into close contact with the victim before she was found unconscious at the hostel on January 6. She died on Jan 11 after several days in a coma.

“An official age certificate submitted by the family established that the victim was a minor (17.5 years old), prompting the inclusion of relevant POCSO sections alongside charges of rape and murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The discovery of semen, together with post-mortem evidence of injuries suggestive of sexual violence, makes DNA matching the most crucial line of inquiry at this stage. The Special Investigation Team continues to treat the forensic results as pivotal to identifying the accused,” the officer said.

Separately, a CID team visited the victim’s home in Jehanabad, questioned family members about her medical treatment and medications, and obtained copies of prescriptions for scrutiny. The victim’s father raised concerns about repeated visits and sample collection from family members.

Post-mortem findings from Patna Medical College and Hospital indicated injuries consistent with sexual assault, which aligned with the semen evidence. The SIT stated that the victim’s clothes were handed over to police on January 10, and DNA profiling is ongoing to determine whether the semen came from a single individual or multiple persons.

Police confirmed the girl had travelled to Patna from Jehanabad on Jan 5, arriving at the hostel at around 3.25pm. Her personal diary and three empty strips of anti-depressant medication were recovered after her death.