Patna: A medical report released by Prabhat Memorial Hospital has provided new details about the condition of the NEET aspirant who died in Patna earlier this month, describing a critically ill patient with signs of suspected drug poisoning and multiple organ complications at the time of admission.
According to the hospital, the student was brought to its emergency department at about 7.40pm on January 6 in an unconscious state. The report says she had been unresponsive for nearly six hours before arrival, with shallow breathing, falling oxygen levels and impaired brain function. Doctors noted that her pupils were severely constricted and her condition was life-threatening, prompting her immediate transfer to the intensive care unit.
The hospital said preliminary drug screening returned positive results for narcotic substances. Whether these drugs were consumed voluntarily or administered by another person remains under investigation. Based on the symptoms observed at admission, doctors classified the case as suspected drug poisoning and informed the police, treating it as a medico-legal matter.
The report details a series of serious medical complications. A CT scan revealed swelling of the brain, along with minor bleeding in its lower region, though no major fractures were detected. Doctors noted that cerebral swelling can increase intracranial pressure, potentially leading to seizures, loss of consciousness or death.
Respiratory complications were also recorded. A chest X-ray indicated pneumonia in the right lung, which medical experts say can develop when an unconscious patient inhales foreign material, particularly in cases involving drug intoxication. The student required ventilator support as her breathing deteriorated.
Blood tests showed abnormal liver function, with significantly elevated enzyme levels and reduced essential proteins. Doctors diagnosed this as drug-induced hepatitis, suggesting that narcotic substances had directly affected the liver’s ability to detoxify the body, further worsening her condition.
The report also pointed to extreme physiological stress. Cortisol levels were found to be several times higher than normal, a marker doctors associate with acute medical emergencies or severe drug overdose.
While the report noted the presence of injury marks on the body, it said no signs of sexual assault were observed during the hospital’s clinical examination. The hospital reiterated that the case was reported to the police as a medico-legal matter given the suspected overdose. On the basis of the medical findings, police officials have said there was no indication of rape in the hospital record, while stressing that the broader investigation is ongoing.
Authorities have said all aspects of the case remain under examination as forensic and investigative processes continue, amid public scrutiny and political debate over the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
