Patna Hostel Death Case Takes Dramatic Turn with Building Owner's Arrest
In a significant development in Patna, police arrested the owner of a girls' hostel building on Thursday. This action followed the receipt of a post-mortem report concerning the death of an 18-year-old medical aspirant. The report explicitly stated that sexual violence cannot be ruled out in this tragic case.
Timeline of Events and Initial Police Response
Police officials provided a detailed account of the incident. They received information that the young woman, who was diligently preparing for the NEET examination, was discovered unconscious inside her locked hostel room. She was immediately rushed to a private hospital for emergency treatment.
Based on a formal statement from her father, authorities registered a case on January 9. As her medical condition worsened, she was transferred to another hospital. Sadly, she succumbed during treatment on January 11.
Initially, police considered the possibility of suicide. This suspicion arose after sleeping pills were detected in urine tests and were also found recovered from her room. At that early stage, there were no immediate signs pointing to foul play.
Contradictory Medical Findings and Escalating Investigation
The investigation entered a critical phase on January 14 with the arrival of the post-mortem report. Its conclusion that sexual assault could not be excluded directly contradicted an earlier medical assessment. A female gynaecologist who examined the girl upon her hospital admission had officially recorded finding no signs of sexual violence or assault.
City SP (East) Parichay Kumar addressed this discrepancy. "The gynaecologist who examined the girl after admission recorded that there were no signs of sexual violence or assault," he stated. "However, the post-mortem report later mentioned that sexual assault cannot be ruled out."
Kumar emphasized that the arrest of the building owner was a precautionary measure. "Given the seriousness of the matter, police immediately arrested the building owner to prevent tampering with evidence," the SP explained. "As per the probe, he was present at the hostel when the girl was found unconscious inside her locked room." He clarified that it has not yet been conclusively proven that the arrested individual committed any wrongdoing.
Protest Erupts and Broader Safety Concerns Raised
The case has triggered widespread public outrage and concern. Allegations from the girl's family of rape, murder, and an attempted cover-up led to significant protests in the state capital. On January 12, family members and local residents staged a demonstration at Kargil Chowk, placing the body on the road.
Students and activists also mobilized, protesting over the safety of women in hostels. These concerns prompted the Bihar State Women's Commission to take suo motu cognizance of the entire case. The situation escalated further when masked individuals resorted to stone-pelting and arson outside the hostel premises. Police have registered a separate case regarding this violence, and an investigation is currently underway.
Ongoing Probe and Future Steps
SP Parichay Kumar detailed the known movements of the victim. "On Jan 5, the girl came from her home in Jehanabad to the railway station. We obtained railway station footage. She reached the hostel in about 35 minutes, which is also on record. She stayed in the hostel thereafter, and on Jan 6, she was admitted to the hospital," he recounted.
The investigation remains active and multifaceted. Police are also exploring the possibility that an incident may have occurred in Jehanabad before her arrival in Patna. Injury marks mentioned by the victim's parents have been officially recorded in the medical report.
In a crucial next step, the post-mortem report will be sent to a higher medical facility for a second opinion, aiming to resolve the conflicting medical assessments.
