Patna: She did not become the subject of a viral video on a stage or through a social-media reel. Instead, 25-year-old Neha Jha drew attention after railway officials opened the door of a locked First AC compartment at Samastipur Junction and allegedly found her with a consignment of foreign liquor. The police interaction that followed was recorded on camera and later circulated widely on social media.What caught viewers’ attention was Neha’s apparent composure during the interaction. Speaking to the officials in fluent English and maintaining a calm demeanour, she appeared unfazed even as the compartment was being searched. The episode, however, has since become a police case involving alleged illegal transportation of liquor.Neha had travelled around 1,100km from New Delhi to Bihar in the H-1 First AC coach with her relative Ishan Kumar. The berth was booked in Ishan’s name, while police alleged that Neha was travelling without a ticket.When the train stopped at Samastipur Junction, RPF and GRP personnel reached the compartment and found the door locked from inside. After repeated knocks, Neha opened the door. The interaction was recorded by the officials. A subsequent search allegedly led to the recovery of around 75 litres of foreign liquor, estimated to be worth about Rs1.5 lakh. Neha and Ishan were arrested and later sent to judicial custody.Neha is from Bari village under Singhia police station area in Darbhanga. She is the youngest of four sisters and is reported to be a graduate of KS College in Darbhanga. She spent part of her education in Darbhanga, where police are now examining her contacts as part of their investigation into the alleged destination of the liquor.Her family background has also come under scrutiny. According to police sources, her father, Sanjay Kumar Jha, was arrested in a liquor-related case nearly two years ago. Her elder sister Nishu Jha was arrested by the excise department on Nov 30, 2025, after she was allegedly found carrying 21 litres of foreign liquor.The family also has two sons. One is still studying in school, while the other reportedly underwent treatment at a de-addiction centre in Muzaffarpur after developing a drug habit following failure in the NEET.Birbal Kumar, SHO of Rail Samastipur and the investigating officer, said, “During initial questioning, Neha reportedly claimed that she was transporting the liquor from Haryana for a wedding that will take place at her home in Dec.” An FIR was filed against Neha and Ishan under Prohibition Act, said the SHO.Police are verifying the claim and investigating whether the stated reason was genuine or was being used to explain the alleged transportation of the liquor.The investigation has now moved beyond the train compartment. Police have seized the mobile phones of Neha and Ishan and are examining their call detail records and WhatsApp conversations. Sources said Neha’s phone contained numbers belonging to several doctors and prominent businessmen in Darbhanga. Investigators are examining the conversations and contacts to determine whether any of them are linked to the alleged movement of liquor.
