CBI Intensifies Probe into NEET Student's Alleged Rape and Death in Jehanabad
A five-member Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team, including a woman inspector, intensified its probe into the alleged rape and death of an 18-year-old NEET student by making a third visit to Jehanabad on Thursday. The team arrived at the student's maternal uncle's village in the Makhdumpur police station area to conduct further inquiries, marking a critical phase in the investigation.
Detailed Interrogations and Cellphone Recovery
The CBI team spent several hours questioning the maternal uncle and other family members during this visit. This followed two prior trips to the victim's native village in Jehanabad—on Sunday and Tuesday—where the CBI extensively interrogated the victim's parents, brother, sister-in-law, grandmother, aunt, and other relatives. On Tuesday, the team confiscated the girl's brother's cellphone, which had been a point of contention.
Initially, family members claimed the phone was handed over for repair at a shop in Makhdumpur. When the CBI team proceeded to the shop, they found it closed. Subsequently, the phone was recovered from a nearby paan shop, where the shopkeeper revealed that an unidentified person left it, stating someone would collect it. A technical team is now working to recover data, call details, and messages from the recovered device, which could provide crucial evidence.
Suspicious Circumstances and SIT Insights
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials, who earlier investigated the case, noted suspicious behavior. They reported that when asked for the cellphone, the girl's brother claimed it was broken and given to a repair shop. "We told the CBI only that the cellphone was broken and there are some suspicions. The cellphone broke after the girl went to her native place on Dec 27 last year. After a few days, her brother left for Bhojpur, taking his mother's cellphone. All these things are quite suspicious," the officials said. The CBI has already questioned the SIT, the concerned police station sub-inspector, and family members to cross-verify these accounts.
Police Negligence and Enhanced Security Measures
On Thursday, the suspended Kadamkuan police station Sub-Inspector Hemant Jha was summoned to the CBI office in Patna and interrogated for about 30 minutes over alleged initial negligence. When the hospital informed the police about the student's admission to Dr Prabhat Memorial Hiramati Hospital on Jan 6, he reportedly delayed action, only recording the family's statement. Later, after the case escalated, an FIR was filed at Chitragupt Nagar police station on Jan 9. His suspension by the Patna SSP stemmed from this dereliction of duty.
Parallel to the CBI efforts, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team visited the family's Jehanabad home on Wednesday after two threatening letters arrived within 48 hours. The team collected samples, measured doors and windows, and examined handwriting to determine if a person wrote both notes. In response, security has been enhanced for the family to ensure their safety during the investigation.
Background of the Case and Ongoing Investigations
The student was found unconscious in her room at a girls' hostel on Jan 6, underwent treatment across multiple hospitals, and tragically died on Jan 11. Forensic findings, including semen traces on her clothes, and postmortem reports indicated possible sexual assault, prompting the CBI's involvement. Additionally, a CBI team retraced the route from Rajendra Nagar Terminal to the hostel, surveyed the locality, spoke with residents, and inquired about the hostel's activities, the owner's conduct, and his frequent visitors to gather comprehensive evidence.
This intensified probe highlights the CBI's commitment to uncovering the truth behind this distressing case, with multiple angles being explored to ensure justice for the victim.
