Patna: A court in Patna has rejected the bail application of a hostel owner accused in connection with the death of a teenage student preparing National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), as investigators continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the case.
The first-class judicial magistrate, Kumari Pinky Priyanka, of the Patna civil court on Thursday refused regular bail to Manish Kumar Ranjan, the owner of the hostel located in the Chitragupta Nagar area of the city. Ranjan will remain in judicial custody. The decision has been welcomed by the family of the student, who have been demanding a thorough investigation.
The case relates to the death of a student from Jehanabad district, whose father lodged a first information report (FIR) on January 9 at the Chitragupta Nagar police station. Ranjan was arrested on the basis of the complaint and has been in custody since January 15. He is the only person arrested so far.
According to the complaint, the student was found unconscious in her hostel room and was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where she later died. Her father alleged that there were visible injury marks on her body and raised suspicions of sexual assault. The post-mortem examination reportedly noted injuries to her private parts, intensifying calls for accountability.
Police said a special investigation team (SIT) is examining the case from multiple angles. Investigators are scrutinising hostel records, CCTV footage and other material evidence, and questioning staff and people in the surrounding area.
Officials said the next crucial step will be the completion of the investigation and the filing of a charge sheet, which will determine whether additional arrests are made or further charges brought. For now, the court’s refusal to grant bail signals that the case is being treated with seriousness as the legal process continues.
