Is the Durgapur gang-rape case entangled in a love affair?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Claim of Relationship: The lawyer asserts a romantic connection between the victim and the accused classmate.
- Legal Proceedings: The accused have been remanded to custody pending further investigation.
- Victim's Statements: The victim's statements are critical in shaping the case's narrative.
- WhatsApp Evidence: Potential insights from digital communication may emerge as the case progresses.
- Focus on Justice: The integrity of the judicial process must remain paramount.
Kolkata, Oct 22 (NationPress) In a remarkable assertion, the attorney representing an individual arrested in connection with the Durgapur gang-rape case -- who is a classmate of the victim -- claimed on Wednesday that the victim and his client are involved in a romantic relationship. This statement was made in a Durgapur court where the arrested classmate was presented alongside three other defendants in the case.
On Wednesday, the defense attorney, Pragyadipto Roy, submitted a bail application in court. He argued that the victim voluntarily left the private medical college and hospital with his client.
He highlighted that the victim's initial statement supports this claim. The lawyer asserted that his client is in a loving relationship with the victim and requested bail on the grounds that no charges of rape have been filed against him.
In opposition to the classmate's bail request, public prosecutor Bibhas Chatterjee argued that the victim had made another statement indicating that her classmate had taken her out for 'phuchka' (pani puri).
The victim also stated that the arrested classmate had molested her.
The prosecutor further mentioned that significant insights could arise from analyzing the WhatsApp communications between the victim and the accused classmate.
The court subsequently ordered the victim's classmate and the other three accused to undergo five days of jail custody, with a court appearance scheduled again for October 27.
On October 10, the second-year medical student from Odisha was reportedly gang-raped by five individuals in a wooded area near a private medical college and hospital located in West Burdwan district's Durgapur.
Following the victim's complaint, law enforcement apprehended all five suspects. Authorities stated that only one individual was directly involved in the physical assault of the medical student.
Later, they arrested the victim's male friend after discrepancies in his statements during questioning were discovered.