The death of a young girl preparing for the NEET examination at Shambhu Girls Hostel in Patna has shaken Bihar and sparked widespread public anger. What was initially described as a case of suicide has now taken a dramatic turn after the post-mortem report stated that sexual assault before her death cannot be ruled out.
Doctors found multiple injuries on her body and confirmed that all of them occurred before death, directly contradicting the early claims made by the police.
The student had been living at the hostel to focus on her medical entrance exam preparation. Her father said she dreamed of becoming a doctor and studying at AIIMS. Instead, her death has left the family devastated and demanding accountability from the system.
Post-mortem points to prolonged and violent struggle
The post-mortem was conducted by a medical board at Patna Medical College Hospital. The report describes deep crescent-shaped nail marks around the neck and shoulders, scratch marks across the chest, injuries on the back and fresh wounds on the private parts. Doctors said these injuries clearly show that the student was conscious and fought hard to protect herself.
Medical experts believe the struggle lasted nearly one-and-a-half to two hours. The scratches were not caused in a single moment but point to continuous abuse. Blue marks on the back suggest repeated impact with a hard surface.
The report also recorded tissue damage, abrasions and heavy bleeding, stating clearly that these injuries were not consistent with consensual physical relations and instead point to forced penetration. Based on the injury pattern, doctors did not rule out the involvement of more than one person.
Family rejects suicide narrative, raises serious allegations
From the beginning, the student’s family rejected the police version that described the death as suicide due to sleeping pills. They questioned how a large number of pills could be available without a prescription and why the case was described as suicide even before the post-mortem report was out.
The student’s maternal uncle, Subhash Kumar, accused the hostel operator of running a sex racket and claimed that the family was offered up to ₹15 lakh to settle the matter quietly. He also claims that during treatment, the student was conscious and wanted to speak to her mother, but doctors gave her anaesthesia instead.
The family says it has lost trust in the local administration and is preparing to approach the High Court for justice.
The student’s death has also left her native village in Jehanabad district in mourning. Family members are inconsolable, and her mother’s health has worsened since the incident.
SSP responds as investigation expands
As pressure mounted, Patna SSP Kartikeya Sharma addressed the issue and acknowledged the seriousness of the post-mortem findings. He confirmed that the owners of Shambhu Girls Hostel have been arrested and said the investigation has been widened.
जहानाबाद मामले में 48 घंटे के भीतर ही अपने बयान से पलटी पटना पुलिस : पहले पटना SP बार-बार यह दावा करते रहे कि छात्रा की मौत नशे की गोली के सेवन से हुई है और उसके साथ किसी प्रकार का गलत व्यवहार नहीं हुआ। लेकिन आज पटना एसएसपी ने अपने बयान में कहा कि यौन हिंसा की संभावना से इनकार… pic.twitter.com/gO8Q3XaM6f
— FirstBiharJharkhand (@firstbiharnews) January 16, 2026
“The post-mortem report that has just come out is being investigated. Earlier treatment reports had disputes, which is why the post-mortem was referred to a higher centre. For now, we believe the post-mortem report is correct. It states that violence cannot be ruled out, and we are investigating all related persons based on the case diaries,” the SSP said.
He added that mobile phones, CCTV footage and forensic science laboratory reports are being examined, and further action will follow based on evidence.
Police handling under scanner
The post-mortem report has exposed clear gaps between early police statements and medical findings. While police initially said there were no signs of sexual violence and spoke of sudden health deterioration, doctors confirmed that the injuries happened before death and showed strong resistance.
Several suspects were questioned and later released, which has deepened the family’s doubts. They believe someone known to the student may be involved and question whether that angle was properly examined.
The family has also named the management of Prabhat Memorial Hospital and officials from Chitragupta Nagar Police Station, accusing them of trying to suppress facts. Former Bihar DGP Abhayanand has also raised questions about the handling of the case, adding to the pressure on the police leadership.
