Rape and murder of Shilpi Jain

Rape and murder of Shilpi Jain

Date	3 July 1999
Location	Fraser Road, Patna, Bihar, India
Also known as	Shilpi–Gautam case Fraser Road double death case Bungalow No. 12 case
Type	Unsolved death; alleged double murder and rape
Theme	Violence against women; alleged political cover-up
Motive	Alleged sexual exploitation and political pressure
Non-fatal injuries	Evidence of sexual assault (multiple rapes alleged)
Inquiries	CBI inquiry; Bihar Police investigation
Inquest	Postmortem suggested poisoning; forensic report indicated sexual assault
Arrests	Birendra Prakash Singh, Dipak Singh (later released)
Suspects	Sadhu Yadav
Trial	No trial; case closed as suicide
Verdict	Double suicide (as per CBI)
Controversial case with repeated demands for reinvestigation

The rape and alleged murder of Shilpi Jain refers to the suspicious deaths of Shilpi Jain and Gautam Singh in Patna, Bihar, in July 1999. The case gained national attention due to allegations of sexual assault, possible political involvement, and accusations of a cover-up by authorities. Although the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) closed the case in 2003 as a double suicide, forensic inconsistencies and allegations of rape have continued to make it a subject of controversy.

Background

Shilpi Jain was the daughter of businessman Ujjwal Kumar Jain, owner of Kamla Stores in Patna. Gautam Singh was the son of a London-based doctor and was reportedly affiliated with the youth wing of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Media reports suggested the two were in a relationship.

Discovery of bodies

On 3 July 1999, the semi-nude bodies of Shilpi and Gautam were found inside a Marshal jeep near Quarter No. 12 on Fraser Road, Patna – a government bungalow allotted to RJD legislator Sadhu Yadav, brother-in-law of Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Initial police investigation

The Bihar Police drew criticism for allegedly mishandling the crime scene. Supporters of local political figures reportedly entered the site before forensic experts. The vehicle was driven to the police station instead of being sealed and towed, leading to potential loss of evidence. Gautam Singh’s body was cremated soon after without full consent from his family. Police initially declared it a case of suicide by poisoning.

CBI investigation

Due to mounting public pressure, the case was transferred to the CBI six days later. Forensic analysis conducted in Hyderabad found semen traces from multiple individuals, suggesting that Shilpi may have been sexually assaulted before death. The agency collected DNA samples from several politicians; one legislator reportedly refused to provide a sample. In 2003, the CBI concluded that the incident was a suicide pact rather than a murder and closed the case.

Controversy and criticism

Shilpi Jain’s family rejected the CBI findings, alleging political influence, rape, and forced poisoning. They demanded a reinvestigation, highlighting ignored forensic details and procedural lapses. Public scepticism has persisted due to:

• Alleged tampering with the crime scene and forensic evidence
• Rapid and disputed cremation of Gautam Singh
• Political links of alleged suspects
• Confirmation of multiple DNA profiles indicating sexual assault

Aftermath

In January 2006, Shilpi’s brother, Prashant Jain, was kidnapped and later rescued. Media outlets reported that the incident may have been intended as a warning to the family for pursuing justice.

Legacy

The case is widely cited as one of Bihar’s most controversial unresolved deaths. It continues to be referenced in discussions on political influence in criminal investigations, violence against women, and accountability in law enforcement during the late 1990s.