Patna: A 35-km long protest march, demanding justice over the alleged rape and death of a medical aspirant, was held in Jehanabad district on Tuesday. The protesters demanded immediate arrest and punishment to those responsible for alleged rape and killing of the aspirant.Protesters, carrying black flags and posters with slogans such as “Behn-betiyon ke samman mein pura Bihar maidan me” (all of Bihar is on the ground in honour of sisters and daughters) and “Beti, hum sharminda hain, tere katil zinda hai” (daughter, we are ashamed, your killers are alive), took to the streets raising anti-govt slogans. They accused authorities of shielding “influential” criminals and attempting to suppress the case.
Purnia MP Pappu Yadav also joined the demonstration, emphasising that the issue extended beyond one victim to the safety of all daughters in the state. Speaking to reporters, he said: “We raised this issue in Parliament. It was also flagged in the assembly today. This is not just about the daughter of Jehanabad, but about the safety of daughters across Bihar.”Social activist Prahlad Bhardwaj alleged that despite days passing since the incident took place, no perpetrators were arrested. He alleged that Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar summoned the victim’s parents and pressured them to accept the death as suicide, calling it shameful and questioning the police and govt’s intentions.The student, who was preparing for the medical entrance exam and staying at a girls’ hostel in Patna, was found unconscious in her hostel room on Jan 6. She succumbed to her injuries during treatment on Jan 11 after remaining in a coma for several days. Forensic reports later found traces of semen on her cloths, along with indications of sexual violence, genital injuries, and nail abrasions in the autopsy report.The case was initially handled by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), with actions including the arrest of the hostel owner and the suspension of two police officials for dereliction of duty. The Bihar govt later recommended a CBI inquiry into the matter.
