Rape FIR at Ranchi's CIP: Trainee alleges assault by M.Phil student
Synopsis
A clinical psychology trainee at the Central Institute of Psychiatry — one of India's foremost psychiatric institutions — has alleged rape by a fellow M.Phil student inside the postgraduate hostel in Ranchi. Police have registered an FIR and launched a formal investigation, with the accused identified as Sarthak Choudhary. The case raises urgent questions about trainee safety within elite medical and research institutions.
Key Takeaways
Jharkhand Police registered an FIR at Kanke police station following a rape complaint by a clinical psychology trainee at CIP, Ranchi .
The accused, Sarthak Choudhary , was pursuing an M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology and allegedly resided in Room No.
54 of the same postgraduate hostel.
The alleged incident occurred on the night of 28 June at approximately 10 pm .
The survivor alleged she felt dizzy after consuming water from a bottle offered by the accused, before he allegedly assaulted her.
Police are questioning the accused, recording the survivor's statement, and examining the alleged crime scene; further legal action is pending completion of the investigation.
Jharkhand Police have registered an FIR alleging rape of a clinical psychology trainee at the Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) in Ranchi's Kanke area and launched a formal investigation, officials confirmed on Monday, 5 October 2026. The case has put the spotlight on safety conditions inside the hostel premises of one of India's most prominent psychiatric institutions.
What the Complaint States
According to the complaint lodged with Kanke police station, the survivor was working as a trainee in clinical psychology at CIP and residing in the institute's postgraduate hostel. The accused, identified as Sarthak Choudhary, was reportedly pursuing an M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology and was staying in Room No. 54 of the same hostel.
The complainant stated that hostel regulations permitted students to visit each other's rooms. According to the FIR, on the night of 28 June, at approximately 10 pm, she visited Choudhary's room for study and practice related to psychological assessment exercises.
Sequence of Alleged Events
The survivor alleged that after some time studying in the room, she suddenly felt dizzy. The accused reportedly offered her water from a steel bottle. She initially hesitated, but consumed it after he repeatedly insisted, she stated in the complaint.
According to the FIR, her condition deteriorated shortly after drinking the water. The accused allegedly advised her to rest on the bed. When she resisted and attempted to leave, he allegedly raped her, the complaint states.
Police Action and Investigation
Following the incident, the survivor approached the authorities seeking justice. Based on her complaint, Kanke Police registered an FIR and initiated an investigation. Investigators are currently questioning the accused, recording the survivor's statement, and examining the alleged crime scene along with other relevant material and available evidence.
Officials stated that further legal action will be taken upon completion of the investigation.
Background and Significance
The Central Institute of Psychiatry in Ranchi is among India's oldest and most reputed psychiatric institutions, functioning under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Allegations of sexual assault within its postgraduate hostel raise broader questions about institutional safety mechanisms and internal redressal systems for trainee students. This comes amid renewed national attention on the safety of healthcare and research trainees following several high-profile cases in recent years.
The investigation is ongoing, and formal charges are yet to be filed pending its conclusion.
Point of View
Which normalises unrestricted inter-room visits under the guise of academic collaboration, can create structural vulnerabilities that formal regulations alone do not address. The months-long gap between the alleged incident in late June and the FIR registered in October also warrants scrutiny: delayed reporting in institutional settings is frequently linked to social pressure, fear of academic consequences, or inadequate internal complaint mechanisms. Whether CIP's Internal Complaints Committee was activated, and how the institution responded in the intervening period, are questions the investigation must answer.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Central Institute of Psychiatry in Ranchi?
A clinical psychology trainee at CIP, Ranchi, has alleged that a fellow postgraduate student, identified as Sarthak Choudhary, raped her inside the institute's hostel on the night of 28 June. Jharkhand Police registered an FIR at Kanke police station and launched a formal investigation.
Who is the accused in the CIP Ranchi rape case?
The accused has been identified as Sarthak Choudhary, who was reportedly pursuing an M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology at CIP and was residing in Room No. 54 of the postgraduate hostel. Police are currently questioning him as part of the investigation.
What does the survivor's complaint allege?
The survivor alleged she visited the accused's room on the night of 28 June for study purposes, after which she felt suddenly dizzy. She stated that after consuming water offered repeatedly by the accused, her condition deteriorated and he allegedly raped her when she resisted and tried to leave.
What action has the Jharkhand Police taken so far?
Kanke Police have registered an FIR and initiated a formal investigation. Investigators are questioning the accused, recording the survivor's statement, examining the alleged crime scene, and reviewing relevant evidence. Officials say further legal action will follow once the investigation is complete.
What is the Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi?
The Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) in Ranchi is one of India's oldest and most prominent psychiatric institutions, functioning under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It offers postgraduate and M.Phil. programmes in clinical psychology and related fields.
