Who is the Male Friend Arrested in the Durgapur Gang-Rape Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The victim's male friend was arrested due to inconsistencies in his statements.
- Six total arrests have been made in the Durgapur gang-rape case.
- The case involves a second-year medical student from Odisha.
- Protests have erupted in Durgapur, reflecting public anger.
- The Calcutta High Court has restricted access to the hospital for outsiders.
Kolkata, Oct 14 (NationPress) The West Bengal Police apprehended the male companion of the Durgapur gang-rape victim on Tuesday, raising the total number of arrests in this troubling case to six, according to officials.
The second-year medical student had gone out with her male friend, identified as Wasif Ali, to purchase dinner on the evening of October 10.
As reported by the police, the arrest occurred after investigators discovered discrepancies in his statements during interrogations.
Earlier that day, Ali was taken to a forested area near a private medical college and hospital to validate the statements made by the five suspects, who were also present to reconstruct the crime scene.
Sources indicate that Ali's responses during police questioning were incoherent, prompting his arrest.
He is originally from the Malda district.
Just hours before his arrest, Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Sunil Kumar Choudhary stated that the investigation into the male friend’s involvement is ongoing.
"The victim's friend, who was present at the scene of the incident along with the five accused individuals, cannot be ruled out. We are thoroughly examining his involvement as well. He has been questioned multiple times," Choudhary mentioned.
On October 10, a second-year medical student from Odisha was gang-raped by five individuals in a forest area adjacent to a private medical college and hospital in West Burdwan district's Durgapur.
Following the victim's complaint, authorities have taken all five accused into custody.
Currently, they remain in police detention.
In the meantime, BJP workers have continued protests in Durgapur, with several party leaders from Odisha arriving at the hospital on Tuesday.
However, due to a Calcutta High Court ruling prohibiting the entry of outsiders, they were denied access to the hospital.