NEET aspirant's death: Kishor alleges family pressured to drop case

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor met Patna SSP over a NEET aspirant's death, alleging the family was pressured to drop the case. The Bihar Police have formed an SIT to probe, but say doctors have not yet confirmed sexual assault.

Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Saturday met Patna SSP Kartikey K Sharma at his office over the death of a girl who was a NEET aspirant in Bihar and alleged that the family of the deceased was pressured to drop the case.

According to the police, a NEET aspirant died during treatment in Patna. While there were reports of an alleged sexual assault, the police said that the doctors have not confirmed sexual or penetrative assault in the case. The Bihar Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.

Kishor Details Family's Allegations

Prashant Kishor, who met the family of the victim, told reporters that the family alleged "partial" conduct during the investigation of the case. The family of the deceased also protested on January 12, demanding justice, while Kishor said that the police did a lathi charge on the protesters. The Jan Suraaj leader said, "The incident that happened, it seems like the girl was harassed. The police themselves have accepted that an in-depth investigation is required. I have met Patna SSP on two issues. First, the family of the victim say that the officers who conducted the investigation were partial. Second, the family has accused the police of pressuring them to drop the case and of offering them a bribe. Third, during the protest, the police did a lathi charge, and an FIR has been registered against some people. We hope that the SIT will provide her justice."

Police Form SIT, Expand Probe

Patna SSP Sharma said that the SIT has been formed to expand the scope of the probe. The police official said, "An SIT has been formed. The scope of the investigation has now expanded. Once reports on all aspects are received, the investigation will be further advanced accordingly. The ADG (Additional Director General) for weaker sections was present here today. Several issues were observed, and several new investigations have also been conducted."

Earlier, on January 12, ASP Sadar Patna Abhinav Kumar said that sexual assault in the case has not been confirmed yet, and urged the public to refrain from spreading rumours. ASP Kumar said, "Unfortunately, the girl died during treatment. Today, a medical board was formed, and the girl's postmortem was conducted under videography. So far, the investigation has not confirmed any sexual assault. There are many points for the investigation. The police are investigating the case from every angle. Whatever action is taken will be based on evidence. My appeal to the people is not to pay attention to rumours. Speak only on the basis of evidence. Do not do anything without evidence, and do not take the law into your own hands. No doctor has told me that sexual assault or penetrative sexual assault has been confirmed."

"The hostel operator and manager have been questioned. So far in the investigation, we have not found any such evidence that would lead to their arrest or implication of anyone. The police cannot arrest anyone without evidence," he added. (ANI)

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