Patna: A Patna court on Saturday deferred its decision on the bail plea of building owner Manish Ranjan in the suspicious death case of a NEET student at a girls’ hostel after a nearly two-and-a-half-hour hearing.Ranjan, arrested on Jan 14 and lodged in Beur Central Jail for over 45 days, did not receive relief. The court fixed March 2 as the next date of hearing to examine additional responses from the investigating agencies.
Presiding judge, district and additional sessions judge-VI-cum-POCSO court judge Rajeev Ranjan Raman, expressed strong displeasure during the proceedings. He pulled up the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for not invoking the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act despite the case involving a minor victim and evidence pointing towards sexual assault, including post-mortem findings and forensic traces of semen on clothing. The CBI registered the case on Feb 12 under relevant sections for attempt to murder, assault, voluntarily causing hurt and wrongful restraint.The court asked the agency what evidence was collected against Ranjan during his 15-day police remand, whether he was still required for further investigation, and if the case was limited to attempt to murder, why his continued judicial custody was necessary.The hearing highlighted discrepancies in the initial probe. Until Jan 17, Roshni Kumari, then in-charge of Chitragupta Nagar police station, led the investigation. The court questioned her regarding the charges framed against Ranjan, the evidence seized — including the victim’s mobile phone and the hostel’s DVR — and why these were not produced before the court within 24 hours.Kumari said she handed over all materials to the SIT on Jan 17. However, the SIT claimed receipt only on Jan 24, a gap cited by the victim’s family as raising concerns over possible tampering.Annu Kumari, secretariat SDPO I heading the SIT, was questioned about Ranjan’s movements, his location during the incident, the circumstances of his arrest and his recorded statement. She informed the court that call detail eecords (CDR) were examined and the locations matched, though complete details were not elaborated in open proceedings.The victim’s family strongly opposed bail. Their lawyer argued that Ranjan was the mastermind behind the incident and must remain in custody to prevent interference with justice.Meanwhile, the CBI conducted a prolonged interrogation at Dr Prabhat Memorial Hiramati Hospital. A female staff member was questioned for around five hours and stated that the student was brought unconscious with visible bruises on her body.
