PATNA: In a fresh development in the mysterious death of an 18-year-old medical aspirant in Patna, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) submitted its biological report to the police on Saturday, indicating the possibility of sexual assault on the victim. The report detected the presence of male semen on the student’s clothes, which she wore at the time of hospitalisation.This finding strongly suggests sexual assault and harassment. A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the FSL report pointed towards sexual assault. An FSL source said, “Semen was found in the leggings, which the police handed over to the team, indicating that something wrong happened with the girl. There is a strong possibility of sexual assault. However, the exact timing of the incident cannot be determined from this report alone. The DNA profiling is still pending. If the sperm sample is not degraded, a DNA profile can be generated, which may reveal whether one or more persons were involved.”The revelation corroborates and strengthens earlier post-mortem observations at Patna Medical College Hospital, where injuries consistent with possible sexual violence were detected and assault could not be ruled out. The report also highlighted injuries to her private parts and nail abrasions on her body.The victim, from Jehanabad and preparing for NEET, resided in a girls’ hostel in Patna. She was found unconscious in her locked room on Jan 6 and died on Jan 11 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital.The case has drawn widespread attention, student protests, and a suo motu notice from the Bihar State Women’s Commission. Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar ordered Patna range IG Jitendra Rana to investigate the matter, leading to the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) on Jan 16, headed by Patna SP (east) Parichay Kumar.The investigation so far has recovered the victim’s diary, revealing exam stress, family disputes, a past relationship and previous suicidal thoughts. Her phone contained deleted chats and searches related to poisons and sleeping pills. Traces of sleeping pills were confirmed in her urine. The SIT also traced the source of the sleeping pills the girl ingested before she was found unconscious, along with three empty strips of the medicine.The team has examined her movements in Jehanabad and Patna, questioned family members and relatives, and is awaiting DNA results and AIIMS analysis.The forensic team at AIIMS-Patna has stated that it will hold off on delivering a final expert opinion until all necessary documents and medical reports are fully provided by the SIT.Dr Vinay Kumar, from the forensic medicine and toxicology department of AIIMS-Patna, said, “The police have shared some documents with the executive director of the institute, accompanied by a request for an expert medical board to review them and provide an informed opinion. The medical board is currently reviewing what it has received and has requested additional materials from the SIT that are still required.”“The SIT is cooperating and providing whatever is available. For the documents they do not have, they are actively trying to obtain them,” Dr Kumar added.
