NEET aspirant death case: Prashant Kishor meets Patna SSP along with victim’s family, seeks justice

Patna, Jan 17 (IANS) Jan Suraaj convenor Prashant Kishor met Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya Sharma at his office near Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Saturday in connection with the suspicious death of a NEET aspirant from Jehanabad.

He was accompanied by the victim’s father, maternal uncle, aunt, paternal uncle, and brother.

The meeting was held to seek a humane approach from the police towards those against whom FIRs were registered for protesting against the incident, and prevent unnecessary legal action, while keeping the legal aspects of the case in mind.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Prashant Kishor said that he had met the victim’s family at their residence in Jehanabad on Friday, following which the government took cognisance of the matter and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

“Now that an SIT has been formed, we expect a fair investigation and justice for those who have suffered injustice,” Kishor said.

Explaining reasons for meeting the SSP, he said the victim’s family believes that the investigating officer, a woman police officer, acted in a biased manner, and seeks departmental action against her.

“Moreover, over the past few days, the victim’s family and young students protested at Kargil Chowk regarding this incident, following which FIRs were registered against them. On Friday, police conducted raids at BN College in this connection. We raised this issue before the SSP as well,” Kishor added.

Kishor said that since the government itself has acknowledged lapses and formed an SIT, it would be inappropriate to initiate punitive action against those who were protesting for justice.

“The SSP has assured us that both matters will be examined at his level and that the police will adopt a humane approach wherever possible. He also assured that no harsh action will be taken against those against whom FIRs have been lodged,” he said.

Emphasising faith in the investigation process, Kishor said, “The SIT has been formed under the leadership of an Inspector General. Let the investigation proceed. We have placed everything the victim’s family has said before the administration. The purpose of forming the SIT is to allow it to independently reach a conclusion.”

On Patna Police’s earlier claim ruling out sexual assault, Kishor remarked that if there had been no mistakes at the administrative level, such widespread anger would not have erupted.

“If action is not taken against the culprits and the family is not satisfied, further steps will be taken. Our sole objective is justice for the victim’s family,” he said.

Several senior leaders, including Kishor Kumar Munna, Subhash Kumar Kushwaha, Rambali Chandravanshi, JP Singh, Manish Kashyap, Sarwar Ali, and others, attended the meeting.

–IANS

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