Nawada District and Sessions Judge Shilpi Soni Raj was found dead at her government residence in Bihar, as Principal District and Sessions Judge Shilpee Soniraj tragically passed away under mysterious circumstances, prompting an official investigation today.
Principal District and Sessions Judge Shilpee Soniraj, who was serving in Nawada district, Bihar, tragically passed away under mysterious circumstances on Friday morning.
According to local police officials, she was declared dead upon arrival at a hospital. Her body has been sent to the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna for a medical examination, with a report expected in two to three days.
District Public Prosecutor Manoj Kumar has confirmed the judge’s death, though the exact cause remains unclear. The hospital administration has yet to release any official statement regarding the matter.
Recently, Judge Shilpee Soniraj had participated in a friendly cricket tournament on January 25, where she emphasized that the game symbolizes love rather than focusing on winning or losing. She was well-regarded for her positive and uplifting perspective.
Currently, everyone is awaiting detailed official information concerning the circumstances surrounding her sudden passing. The judicial community and local residents are in shock over this tragic event.
When asked if the police suspected any wrongdoing in the judge’s death, Malik remarked, “Inquest proceedings have started. She was sent to IGIMS Patna for post mortem and until and unless report comes, we cannot say further.”
The DSP added that Soniraj had gone out for tea the previous night, stating,
“Last night, she had gone to take tea. There is a Rajauli check post here on highway. She had gone there to take tea …”
Nawada SP Abhinav Dhiman stated that the hospital reported the arrival of the judge’s body at 7:15 am on Friday morning.
Police immediately arrived at the scene to begin their investigation. It has been revealed that Judge Soniraj had tea near the Rajouli check-post around 10:30 pm on Thursday before returning to her government quarters to retire for the night.
Earlier, On Friday morning, her caretaker, Amardeep, found her unconscious. After failing to elicit a response, she was transported to Dharmashila Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Caretaker Amardeep has submitted an application regarding the incident. Police confirmed that a post-mortem is underway, with videography being recorded. A magistrate has been assigned to oversee the procedure. The forensic team has also visited the site to conduct a thorough examination. The exact cause of death remains undetermined. The SP indicated that the reason will only become clear following the release of the post-mortem report, which will take place at IGIMS Hospital.
Born in 1973, Soniraj began her career in the Bihar Superior Judicial Service as an Additional District & Sessions Judge in 2016, with her initial posting in Gaya.
She was later transferred to the Patna High Court, where she held various positions. In 2020, she was assigned to Jehanabad and was promoted to District & Sessions Judge in 2023, with her posting in Lakhisarai.
She also served as the Member Secretary of the Bihar State Legal Services Authority before her recent transfer to Nawada in November 2023. She was slated to retire in December 2033 and was the 14th senior-most judicial officer, eligible for elevation to the High Court.
Soniraj was an alumna of Patna’s Notre Dame Academy (NDA), a Christian missionary school.