Bihar Deputy CM Demands Evidence from Rabri Devi in Medical Aspirant Death Case
In a sharp political confrontation, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Friday strongly criticized former Chief Minister Rabri Devi for her allegations regarding the involvement of a minister's son in the tragic death of a medical aspirant. Choudhary, who also serves as the state's Home Minister, described the accusations as deeply unfortunate and challenged the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader to provide concrete evidence.
Choudhary Issues Public Challenge for Names
Samrat Choudhary released a video statement directly challenging Rabri Devi to publicly identify the minister's son she claimed was involved in the case. "If Rabri Devi possesses any evidence that a minister or minister's son is involved, she must reveal the name immediately," Choudhary declared. "Withholding such crucial information amounts to concealing evidence from the public and the investigation authorities."
The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader expressed disappointment that such allegations were coming from someone who had previously served as Bihar's Chief Minister. "This was not expected from her," Choudhary stated, emphasizing that the opposition appeared to be playing politics with a sensitive case involving a young woman's death.
Promise of Swift Justice and CBI Investigation
Choudhary made a firm commitment regarding potential action, stating, "I guarantee that if any minister or minister's son is named with credible evidence, we will ensure they are sent to jail within 24 hours." This strong assurance came as the state government has already recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case after the special investigation team (SIT) failed to make significant progress.
The medical aspirant, a young woman from Jehanabad, died on January 11 during treatment, exactly one week after she was discovered unconscious in her private hostel room in Patna. The case took a disturbing turn when initial police statements and subsequent forensic reports indicated the presence of male sperm on her clothing, raising serious questions about the thoroughness of the initial police investigation.
Background of the Controversial Allegations
Rabri Devi had made her allegations on Thursday, accusing the police of orchestrating a cover-up to protect influential individuals connected to the government. She specifically claimed that either a minister or a minister's son was involved in the alleged rape and subsequent death of the medical student, suggesting this was why the case was being mishandled before being transferred to the CBI.
The former Chief Minister argued that someone within the government was implicated in the case, which explained why authorities were attempting to conceal crucial details before handing over the investigation to the central agency. These serious accusations have created significant political tension in Bihar, with the ruling coalition and opposition parties exchanging sharp remarks about the handling of the sensitive investigation.
As the controversy continues to unfold, all eyes remain on whether Rabri Devi will respond to Choudhary's challenge by revealing specific names or providing additional evidence to support her claims. The case has highlighted ongoing concerns about women's safety, investigative transparency, and the intersection of politics with criminal justice matters in the state.
