District & Sessions judge in Bihar dies under mysterious circumstances

Principal District and Sessions Judge Shilpee Soniraj, who was posted in Bihar's Nawada district, died under mysterious circumstances on Friday morning.

According to the local police, she was declared brought dead at a hospital.

Her body has been sent to the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) Patna for medical examination and a report is likely to be received within two-three days.

"We came to know at about 6 am or 6:30 am from the judicial side that something happened to madam and she is not responding. People rushed her to the nearby hospital. She was declared brought dead," Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP Headquarters) Nishu Malik told the Bar & Bench.

Asked whether the police suspected any foul play in the district judge's death, Malik said,

"Inquest proceedings have started. She was sent to IGIMS Patna for post mortem and until and unless report comes, we cannot say further."

"Last night, she had gone to take tea. There is a Rajauli check post here on highway. She had gone there to take tea ...," the DSP added.

On Friday, Nawada Superintendent of Police Abhinav Dhiman told the media that Soniraj had gone to sleep after returning from Rajauli check post.

"In the morning, her caretakers at residence found her unresponsive and took her to the hospital. She was declared brought dead. Her caretaker has given a statement in this regard," Dhiman said.

Soniraj was born in 1973 and had joined Bihar Superior Judicial Service as an Additional District & Sessions Judge in 2016. Her first posting was in Gaya. She was later transferred to the Patna High Court where she was assigned various posts.

In 2020, she was transferred to Jehanabad. She was promoted as District & Sessions Judge in 2023 and posted in Lakhisarai. She also remained Member Secretary of Bihar State Legal Services Authority before her transfer to Nawada in November 2023.

She was set to retire in December 2033. She was the 14th senior-most judicial officer and was eligible for elevation to the High Court.

Soniraj was an alumna of Patna's Notre Dame Academy (NDA), a Christian missionary school. In an Instagram post, the school alumni association said,

"It is with deep sorrow that we share the sad news of the passing of our beloved alumna, Shilpee Soniraj Batch of 1987. She will always be remembered as a valued member of the Notre Dame Academy family. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones. May her soul rest in eternal peace."