Alleged drunk and rash driving by PG residents of JLNMCH claims the life of an MBBS final-year student. Students protest, demanding immediate suspension, strict legal action and accountability from the college administration.

JLNMCH Bhagalpur, Bihar | 7 November 2026

The medical fraternity has been shaken by the tragic death of Rupesh Soni, an MBBS final-year student of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JLNMCH), Bhagalpur, following a serious road accident allegedly involving postgraduate residents of the same institution.

An incident that should never have happened has now raised deeply disturbing questions about professional responsibility, institutional accountability, road safety and the apparent delay in ensuring justice.

According to the account shared by students, on 6 November 2026, at around 12 midnight, Rupesh was returning to his college after attending the JLNMCH CFD fest when a car allegedly carrying postgraduate residents approached at high speed. While attempting to overtake an e-rickshaw, the car reportedly came from the wrong side and collided with Rupesh’s scooty.

The impact was severe. His scooty was badly damaged, and Rupesh sustained critical injuries.

A TRAGIC SEQUENCE OF EVENTS: FROM THE ACCIDENT TO HIS DEATH

According to the accounts shared by students, one junior student witnessed the aftermath of the accident and saw Rupesh lying on one side, covered with a jacket.

An e-rickshaw driver subsequently brought him to the JLNMCH hospital. Initially, he was reportedly not identified as a fellow medical student. He was placed on oxygen support, and his condition was critical.

It was only after his face was cleaned that he was recognised as one of their fellow medicos.

His pulse was reportedly difficult to trace, and emergency resuscitative measures, including defibrillation, were undertaken. His vital parameters subsequently stabilised.

However, as soon as his condition permitted, he was referred to Medanta Hospital, Patna. Tragically, upon reaching Medanta, he was declared dead.

A young medical student, who had entered the final phase of his MBBS journey, lost his life. A family lost their son, and an entire medical college lost one of its own.

WHO WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL?

As per information shared by students, the vehicle allegedly involved in the accident was occupied by postgraduate residents of JLNMCH.

The two individuals identified in the students’ account are:

1. Dr. Gaurav – PG Resident, Department of Radiology, allegedly driving the vehicle.
2. Dr. Chandramohan – PG Resident, Department of Surgery, allegedly occupying the co-driver’s seat and also the owner of the car.

Studentsof JLNMCH have further alleged that one PG resident was apprehended by police following the incident, while attempts were made to leave the accident scene. The involvement and role of the other occupants, including female PG residents reportedly present in the vehicle, must also be thoroughly investigated.

These allegations require independent verification and a transparent police investigation. No individual should be shielded from accountability because of their designation, department or institutional position.

A DISTURBING ALLEGATION: WERE THE PG RESIDENTS DRUNK?

What makes this incident even more alarming are the allegations surrounding alcohol consumption by the occupants of the vehicle.

According to information shared by students, all the PG residents travelling in the car were allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

More significantly, as per information attributed to the police, alcohol consumption by the alleged driver, Dr. Gaurav, PG Resident, Department of Radiology, has been confirmed.

If established through the official examination and investigation records, this raises an extremely serious question: Was a postgraduate doctor driving under the influence of alcohol, putting innocent lives at risk?

A person entrusted with the responsibility of saving lives cannot be allowed to escape accountability for allegedly endangering another person’s life through reckless conduct.

The police must make the findings of the alcohol test, including the breathalyser or blood alcohol examination, part of the investigation and clarify the legal action initiated under applicable provisions of law.

Furthermore, the role of every occupant must be investigated. If other PG residents were also under the influence, their individual conduct and any involvement in the incident must be established through evidence.

This is no longer merely a question of rash driving. It raises the grave issue of alleged drunk driving, professional responsibility and the safety of every individual sharing the road.

There must be no compromise, no institutional shielding and no preferential treatment.

JLNMCH STUDENTS ON PROTEST: DEMANDING JUSTICE FOR RUPESH

Following the incident, students of JLNMCH have come out in protest, demanding immediate and strict action against those allegedly responsible.

Their demands are not merely emotional reactions to an unfortunate incident. They concern fundamental questions of justice, accountability and the safety of every student on campus.

The major demands include:

• Immediate suspension of the PG resident allegedly driving the vehicle, pending investigation.
• Initiation of disciplinary proceedings, with expulsion from the institution if the allegations are established.
• Immediate and impartial investigation into the role of every occupant of the vehicle.
• Appropriate legal action against all individuals found involved, including the female PG residents, with arrest wherever legally warranted by the evidence.
• Official disclosure of the alcohol-testing findings and investigation into the alleged alcohol consumption of all occupants.
• Referral of the matter to the competent medical regulatory authority for consideration of professional misconduct and appropriate action against medical registration, following due process.
• An independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the initial treatment and referral of the victim.
• Accountability of the college administration for any institutional lapses or attempts to suppress the matter.

THREE QUESTIONS THAT THE JLNMCH COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION MUST ANSWER

1. WHY WAS THERE AN ALLEGED DELAY IN REFERRING THE VICTIM?

When every second matters in a critical trauma patient, the golden hour can make a decisive difference.

What exactly happened between Rupesh’s arrival at JLNMCH and his referral to Patna? At what time was he brought to the hospital? When was the referral decision taken? Was advanced trauma care available? Were all necessary resuscitative measures undertaken without delay?

The administration must release a complete, time-stamped account of the treatment, resuscitation and referral process.

This is not about blaming healthcare professionals without evidence. It is about establishing whether there was any avoidable delay or deficiency in emergency care.

2. WHY HAVE THE ROLES OF ALL THE OTHER OCCUPANTS NOT BEEN PUBLICLY ACCOUNTED FOR?

If multiple individuals were present in the vehicle, why has the investigation not transparently established the identity, role and conduct of every occupant?

Were they involved in the circumstances leading to the accident? Did anyone attempt to flee? Did anyone obstruct assistance or interfere with the investigation?

Were all occupants subjected to appropriate alcohol testing? If alcohol consumption by the driver has been confirmed, what action has been initiated against him, and what are the findings concerning the other occupants?

The law must investigate every person’s individual role. No one should receive preferential treatment because of their professional position or association with the institution.

3. WHY HAS THE JLNMCH COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION NOT TAKEN IMMEDIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION?

A postgraduate resident is not above institutional discipline or the law.

If the allegations are serious enough to warrant police investigation, why has the administration not announced an immediate, transparent disciplinary process?

Why should students have to protest to demand basic accountability?

There must be no institutional protection, selective sympathy or preferential treatment. Administrative action, including interim suspension, should be considered immediately, without prejudging the outcome of the investigation.

A medical degree is not a licence to endanger another person’s life. Wearing a doctor’s coat does not place anyone above the law.

THIS IS NOT JUST AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A QUESTION OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

The death of Rupesh Soni must not become another case that generates temporary outrage, a few days of protests and eventually disappears from public memory.

Today, it is Rupesh. Tomorrow, it could be another medical student, an intern, a patient or an ordinary citizen.

Medical institutions are expected to nurture responsibility, discipline and respect for human life. If allegations of drunk driving, reckless conduct, attempts to evade responsibility and institutional inaction emerge from within such an institution, they deserve the highest level of scrutiny.

The JLNMCH college administration must not confuse silence with peace or student protests with indiscipline. Students are demanding answers because one of their own is no longer alive to ask for them.

OUR DEMANDS: JUSTICE MUST NOT BE NEGOTIABLE

1. Immediate suspension of Dr. Gaurav and initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the accused PG residents by JLNMCH administration.
2. Strict legal action against every individual found involved, irrespective of gender, designation or departmental position.
3. Investigation and appropriate legal action concerning the alleged drunk driving and alcohol consumption by the occupants.
4. Investigation into the role of all female PG residents reportedly present in the vehicle, with arrest wherever legally warranted.
5. Appropriate disciplinary action, including expulsion from the JLNMCH institution, if the allegations are established through due inquiry.
6. Referral to the competent medical regulatory authority for consideration of professional misconduct and appropriate action under applicable regulations.
7. Independent inquiry into the treatment and referral process at JLNMCH, including examination of any avoidable delay.
8. Public accountability from the JLNMCH administration and Bihar Health Department.

NO SYMPATHY FOR INFLUENCE. NO PROTECTION FOR THE POWERFUL.

The death of a young medical student cannot be reduced to a routine accident investigation or an internal college matter.

If the allegations are substantiated, the consequences must be proportionate to the gravity of the misconduct. The fact that the accused are doctors or postgraduate residents must never become a reason for leniency or institutional protection.

The law must take its course, the college must fulfil its disciplinary responsibilities, and every question raised by the protesting students must receive a factual answer.

Rupesh deserves justice. His family deserves answers. And the medical fraternity deserves an assurance that no one is above the law.

JUSTICE FOR RUPESH SONI.

NO DRUNK DRIVING. NO INSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION. NO SELECTIVE JUSTICE.

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