Odisha Medical Student Gang-Raped in West Bengal
The second-year student was attacked outside her private college campus in Paschim Bardhaman; police launch probe based on family’s complaint
Kolkata:A second-year medical student from Odisha was allegedly gangraped by unidentified men near a private medical college in Durgapur, Paschim Bardhaman district, on Friday night, police said. The incident has triggered outrage and political confrontation in West Bengal, coming close on the heels of last year’s RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case.
According to police, the 20-year-old student from Jaleswar in Balasore district had gone out with a male friend for dinner when she was accosted by a group of men outside the college campus. The men allegedly dragged her to a wooded area nearby, assaulted her, and threatened her with dire consequences if she revealed the incident.
The survivor, currently undergoing treatment at the college hospital, has recorded her statement with police. Her condition remains stable but critical, officials said.
A police officer from New Township Police Station said, “The student went out with her friend around 8.30 p.m. The friend left her for a few minutes, during which three men approached, snatched her phone, and took her to a deserted spot where they raped her. They also demanded money to return the phone.”
Police have launched an intensive investigation, examining CCTV footage, questioning the victim’s friend, and sending a forensic team to the site for evidence collection. Deputy commissioner (East) Abhishek Gupta said the case is “sensitive” and the probe is being conducted “with all aspects in mind.”
The student’s parents reached Durgapur on Saturday morning after being informed by her friends. “We lodged a police complaint after arriving. We sent our daughter here because of the college’s reputation. We want justice,” her father said.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and sent a team to Durgapur to meet the survivor and her family. NCW member Archana Majumdar said, “Crimes against women are rising in Bengal. Police are not proactive. I urge the chief minister to ensure accountability.”
Meanwhile, the state health department sought a detailed report from the college on the incident, a senior official confirmed.
The assault has sparked a major political row. The BJP accused the Trinamul Congress (TMC) government of presiding over a complete law and order collapse, while the ruling party urged restraint and condemned “politicisation of women’s suffering.”
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari spoke with the survivor’s father, assuring him of support and suggesting that his daughter be shifted to a Kolkata hospital if needed. “Since the RG Kar case, there have been multiple incidents of crimes against women. Law and order has totally collapsed under Mamata Banerjee, who is also the police minister,” Adhikari alleged.
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posted on X that a student from IQ Medical College, Durgapur, was gang-raped and that a complaint had been filed against Wasif Ali and his associates.
Women and child development minister Sashi Panja described the incident as “deeply unfortunate,” urging political parties to “avoid exploiting crimes against women for political gain.” She added, “West Bengal remains committed to women’s empowerment and justice will be ensured.”
The West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar condemned the assault, calling it “a reflection of the TMC government’s failure to protect women.” The party has dispatched a team to Durgapur to review the situation.