What Happened in the IIM-Calcutta Rape Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Accused Premanand Mahaveer Toppannavar is in police custody until July 19.
- The incident raises serious questions about security protocols at IIM-Calcutta.
- IIM-Calcutta officials are cooperating with the investigation.
- The incident has garnered attention from the Union government.
- Questions remain regarding how an outsider accessed the boys’ hostel.
Kolkata, July 12 (NationPress) Premanand Mahaveer Toppannavar also known as Parmanand Jain (26), the only suspect in the rape incident involving an outsider student at the boys’ hostel of the Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta (IIM-C) located in Joka, on the outskirts of South Kolkata, was placed under police custody until July 19 by a local court on Friday night.
While the public prosecutor requested an extension of police custody until July 25, the trial court judge decided on a remand until July 19.
The accused is currently a second-year student at IIM-C, having enrolled for a postgraduate degree in management (PGDM) in 2023 after successfully passing the Common Admission Test (CAT).
In response to the situation, IIM-C authorities broke their silence regarding serious security concerns on campus by issuing a statement on Saturday. The director-in-charge, Saibal Chattopadhyay, emphasized that the institute is taking the matter seriously and is fully cooperating with the investigative authorities.
However, the statement also indicated that IIM-C would refrain from making further comments until the investigation concludes.
The authorities were cautious in addressing questions about the security lapses on campus, particularly regarding how the victim, being an outsider, was able to access the boys’ hostel room without prior registration in the visitors’ book. Questions were raised about how she gained access to the campus and the boys’ hostel, where female visitors are typically restricted beyond designated visitor areas.
Additionally, the Union government has requested a report from IIM-C regarding this incident, given that it is a central institute, as confirmed by the Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar.
“While this incident occurred within the premises of a central institution, law and order falls under state jurisdiction. I trust that the police will take appropriate action in accordance with the law,” stated Majumdar.