The parents of an 18‑year‑old NEET aspirant from Bihar, who died under suspicious circumstances at a girls’ hostel in Patna, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday, demanding a completely impartial and judicial investigation into their daughter’s death.

They allege a cover‑up by Bihar Police and distrust both the state investigation and initial claims dismissing foul play. Despite the absence of Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav) who was arrested and remains in custody students, activists and supporters pressed for justice.

The case has triggered protests in Patna and Jehanabad, political uproar in the Bihar Assembly, broader calls for a CBI or judicial probe, and intense debate over institutional credibility and women’s safety.

Family’s Agony and Protest at Jantar Mantar

On Sunday, the parents of the deceased NEET aspirant an 18‑year‑old student from Jehanabad district who was found unconscious in her hostel room on January 6 and died on January 11 rallied at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, flanked by students, activists and members of civil society.

They demanded that the investigation be placed under judicial supervision, ideally overseen by a sitting judge of either the Supreme Court or a High Court. The family alleges that both the Bihar Police and state authorities have been slow, dismissive and, at times, misleading in their handling of the case, particularly regarding early assertions that her death was due to suicide caused by sleeping pill overdose.

Speaking to the media during the protest, the victim’s father said that they had been “forced” to come to the national capital because justice had not been served in Bihar. “If we had received justice in Bihar, why would we have come to Delhi? I will keep fighting until my last breath to ensure justice for my daughter,” he said.

The mother, choking back emotion, echoed his sentiments and reiterated her lack of faith in the state’s investigation. Protesters also voiced concerns over systemic failures and demanded accountability not just in this case but for broader issues of safety for women students.

The protest was organised under the banner of Bihar Nirbhaya Sangharsh Samiti (Delhi‑NCR) and drew a mix of supporters, including students based in Delhi and activists from Bihar. Leaders emphasised that the family’s fight was emblematic of a national struggle against impunity and institutional inertia in cases involving women and minors.

Forensics, Suspensions and Public Outrage

From the moment she was found unresponsive in her hostel room in Chitragupt Nagar, Patna, the circumstances surrounding the NEET aspirant’s death have been clouded in tension and conflicting narratives. Initial police reports described over‑consumption of sleeping pills and typhoid as leading factors a conclusion that was met with scepticism by the family and civil society groups.

Subsequent forensic investigations, however, have detected traces of semen on the student’s clothing, a finding that strongly suggests sexual assault prior to her death. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report also noted injuries to her private parts and nail abrasions, prompting alarm and intensified scrutiny. In light of these developments, police have prepared to generate DNA profiles from the semen traces and match them against arrested suspects and persons of interest.

The investigation has also been marked by administrative action: two police officers Hemant Jha (Additional Officer‑in‑Charge, Kadamkuan station) and Roshni Kumari (Sub‑Inspector, Chitragupt Nagar station) were suspended for alleged dereliction of duty during the early stages of the case. Critics have accused the police of delayed evidence collection, mishandling key investigative steps, and initially dismissing the possibility of sexual violence without exhaustive inquiry.

Adding to public tension, a five‑member medical board from AIIMS Patna, reviewing the post‑mortem details, indicated that crucial documents have not yet been fully provided by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), complicating efforts to reach definitive conclusions.

Amid these developments, the Bihar government formally recommended a CBI probe at the end of January a move welcomed by many but also criticised by opponents who question the CBI’s track record in high‑profile investigations and demand judicial supervision to ensure greater transparency.

Political Fallout and Wider Protests

The case has ignited widespread political and social uproar across Bihar. Opposition parties brought the matter to the fore during the Bihar Assembly’s budget session, protesting not just the NEET aspirant’s death but also the arrest of Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav), who had vocally supported the family’s demand for justice and had previously raised questions about the investigation and police conduct. Critics have labelled his arrest as politically motivated, claiming it seeks to stifle dissent and scrutiny.

In Jehanabad, a 35‑kilometre protest march was held earlier this week, with participants demanding the immediate arrest and punishment of those responsible for the alleged assault and wrongful death.

Civil society groups such as the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) and the All India Students’ Association (AISA) have also mobilised support, launching what they call a ‘Beti Bachao Nyaya Yatra’ from Jehanabad to Patna to keep pressure on authorities. These groups have underscored structural issues related to the regulation of private hostels, safety protocols for women students, and systemic negligence in enforcing safeguards

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

This tragic death is about far more than a single case it highlights deep, systemic frailties in how society, institutions and authorities respond to allegations of violence against women and minors. When forensic evidence points to possible sexual assault, yet early official narratives leaned toward suicide, the resulting distrust is not just understandable but symptomatic of a broader crisis of confidence in law enforcement and governance. The Logical Indian believes that justice must be comprehensive, transparent and fearless, and that families who demand accountability deserve respect and support not dismissal or obfuscation.

Moreover, ensuring the safety of students, especially young women pursuing education away from home, must become a national priority backed by rigorous oversight of private hostels, clear regulatory standards, and robust mechanisms to protect and empower residents. As this case continues to unfold, the call for judicial oversight signals a yearning for institutional credibility that transcends political divides.