NEET student case: Protesters slam delay in probe, warn of bigger stir

Patna: Hundreds of people, including the NEET student’s family, gathered at Gardanibagh on Sunday to protest her alleged rape and murder at a private hostel. The girl’s mother questioned the CBI investigation, stating, “We no longer trust the agency; they are harassing us. We want justice for our daughter.”

The girl’s father accused the CBI of torturing them, stating, “We have lost faith in the govt and CBI. Now, we only hope for justice from the court. The govt is treating us as a villain.”



The NEET student was found unconscious at a private hostel in the city on Jan 6. She later succumbed during treatment at a private hospital on Jan 11. Her family alleged that she was raped and killed, while the police denied the claims. Later, the forensic report confirmed the presence of semen on the undergarments of the victim and some injuries on her body.

The girl’s mother, while raising questions on the CBI investigation, alleged, “We no longer have faith in the investigating agency. The family itself is being harassed. I just want justice for my daughter.”

A social activist, Pushkar Anand, who joined the dharna, said the protest is not just about a family, but about the safety of women across the state. Nearly three months have passed, but all investigations have proved to be a failure, he alleged.

The people staging the dharna said if the investigation does not move in the right direction, the agitation will be intensified. They warned of launching a bigger agitation if needed. A large number of people gathered at the dharna site and demanded speedy justice in the entire matter.

When questions were raised about the probe being conducted by the Patna Police, the case was handed over to the CBI, but no conclusions have come out yet, they alleged.

Manish Ranjan, the owner of the hostel, has been arrested in this case. He is currently lodged in Beur Jail. His bail petition was rejected by the Pocso court in Patna on March 16.