Patna: The investigation into the suspicious death of a NEET aspirant in Patna has entered a more contentious phase, with senior opposition leaders alleging a cover-up even as the Bihar government moves to hand the case over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
On Thursday, former Bihar chief minister and RJD leader Rabri Devi said the case could involve “a minister’s son or even a minister himself”, a remark that intensified political tensions around an already sensitive investigation. Speaking to reporters, she alleged that there was an initial attempt to suppress the case and that a CBI inquiry was announced only after public pressure mounted.
The death of the student, who had been preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) while staying at a hostel in Patna, has remained unresolved, with police investigations failing to reach a definitive conclusion. In response, the state government has formally requested the Centre to transfer the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The ruling coalition has rejected claims of political pressure, arguing that the decision to involve the CBI was taken to ensure an impartial investigation. Government leaders have said the central agency would be free to pursue all leads and that “no guilty party will be spared”, regardless of status or affiliation.
Rabri Devi also used the occasion to criticise the state budget, describing it as offering “nothing new” for ordinary citizens. She accused the government of relying on grand announcements while failing to address everyday economic concerns faced by people in Bihar.
Echoing these allegations, RJD MLA Bhai Virendra said law and order in the state had deteriorated sharply. Speaking outside the legislative assembly, he claimed that crimes were occurring daily and that young women were increasingly unsafe. On the NEET student case, he alleged that the government was attempting to shield those responsible and exerting pressure on voices seeking accountability.
