Patna: An elderly woman has died in Patna after what police described as a suspected dispute over the repayment of a loan, with her family alleging she was assaulted at a neighbour’s home before being declared dead in hospital.
Sudha Devi, 72, who lived on KP Sarkar Road under Jakkanpur police station limits, was taken to hospital on Tuesday after being found unconscious. She was later referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where she died.
Her daughter, Sarita Singh, alleged that her mother had gone to the nearby home of neighbours Vibha Devi and Shravan to collect around Rs 12,000 that had been lent earlier.
“My mother went there to ask for the money,” Singh said. “After around two and a half hours, Vibha Devi came to my house and said my mother had fallen down the stairs. But I believe she was assaulted there.”
Singh alleged that during the intervening hours, her mother was moved between locations before being taken to a private nursing home and then to Gardanibagh, and only later was the family informed. She said she suspects her mother was physically assaulted inside the neighbour’s home, leading to her death.
Police said the neighbours have claimed that Sudha Devi fell down the stairs.
The daughter’s statement was recorded by police at PMCH in the presence of a senior officer. Additional SHO Manish Kumar of Jakkanpur police station later visited the hospital to speak with family members and collect initial details.
Police have registered a case and said they are examining the circumstances surrounding the death.
A forensic science laboratory (FSL) team was also called to the residence of the neighbours in Purandarpur Devi Sthan locality. Officials said samples were collected from the premises as part of the investigation.
Authorities said the inquiry is ongoing and further action will depend on forensic findings and witness statements.
