Patna: Six people were detained on Thursday in connection with the alleged assault of a NEET aspirant at Shambhu Girls Hostel in Munnachak, Patna, as police intensified their probe into the case. Preliminary investigations suggest that those held have ties to the hostel owner and manager, Manish Ranjan, who, along with his son, has been extensively questioned.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to examine the incident. Initially comprising 30 officers, the team has now grown to 50, with senior officials from the CID and an IPS officer added to strengthen the investigation. Sources said the inquiry has been extended beyond Patna to Jehanabad, where police raided Ranjan’s ancestral village, questioning family members and neighbours and recovering several key documents now under scrutiny in Patna.
Investigators have also collected DNA samples from 40 individuals, including the student’s family and others linked to the case. Authorities are awaiting reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and a second opinion from AIIMS to confirm the source of the DNA found on the student’s clothes, which police said will be crucial in determining the course of the investigation.
Technical evidence, including CCTV footage, mobile tower data, and Google location histories, is being analysed alongside witness statements. According to police, the investigation has now reached a critical stage, with dozens of people already questioned. Six arrests have been made on suspicion of involvement, while the hostel owner and her son remain central to the inquiry.
On Thursday, SIT officials convened at the City SP’s office to review progress and plan the next steps, focusing on interrogation strategy and evidence collection. Police have emphasised their commitment to a transparent and impartial investigation.
The preliminary FSL report, which confirmed the presence of sperm on the student’s clothing, prompted a shift in the investigation’s focus. Authorities are now awaiting the AIIMS opinion and the FSL viscera report to establish whose DNA was found and who may face charges.
Patna police and the SIT have said they are working to ensure that all aspects of the case are thoroughly investigated, with security and procedural safeguards in place to prevent lapses. Meanwhile, the student’s family and local residents are watching closely, hoping for swift action and accountability in the coming days.
