NEET student death: SIT yet to make breakthrough as political tensions rise in Bihar

The Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) failure to reach any major breakthrough in its probe into the suspicious death of a female student preparing for NEET in Patna has intensified political and social tensions in Bihar.

For the administration, the case has turned into a double challenge — on one hand, ensuring a fair and speedy investigation, and on the other, preventing any social or political provocation.

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Independent MP from Purnea, Pappu Yadav, has alleged possible involvement of “a minister’s son” in a social media post.

The post read: “In the NEET student’s case, which leader holding a constitutional post has a son involved — possibly a minister’s son? To protect whom is the Bihar Police crossing all limits and defaming the victim’s family? Who is providing protection to mafias involved in sex rackets in Patna? We will not let this go.”

The entry of Ruby Kumari, the daughter-in-law of Ranvir Sena chief Brahmeshwar Mukhiya, has further raised concerns over possible social unrest linked to the case.

Ranvir Sena was a feudal private militia (landlord group) formed in Bihar in the 1990s under the leadership of Brahmeshwar Mukhiya. It was established by Bhumihar landlords to counter Naxalism and left-wing extremism, including CPI-ML.

Ruby Kumari has issued an ultimatum to the Bihar government to complete the investigation by 26 January, warning of bulldozer action against the hostel if her demand is not met.

A video of Ruby Kumari, who visited Jehanabad to meet the student’s family, is going viral on social media. In the video, she is heard saying: “The entire community is standing with them, and justice will be done. Such justice will be delivered that the same rule will return — the rule that prevailed under us. That rule will return because this BJP tyranny will not continue. Where has the government been so far? We have given time until the 26th (January) and are waiting. After that, the same thing will happen again.”

Meanwhile, the SIT’s investigation has revealed that the student had been consuming sleeping pills for a long time and that her parents were aware of it. According to sources, on 27 December, 2025, the student purchased sleeping pills from a medical store in Jehanabad in the presence of her father. This finding lends support to the initial report suggesting that she may have slipped into a coma due to an overdose of medication.

Initially, the police team investigating the death had described the case as a suicide. However, following protests by the victim’s family, street demonstrations, intervention by political figures, and the release of the post-mortem report, the police revised their stance. They have now acknowledged that the possibility of violence cannot be ruled out. Subsequently, a Special Investigation Team was constituted to examine every aspect of the case in detail.