Has NCW Called for a Fair Investigation in the Durgapur Rape Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Gang rape incident of an Odia medical student in Durgapur sparks outrage.
- Odisha Deputy CM calls for a fair investigation by NCW.
- Protests held demanding justice and accountability.
- Five suspects arrested by West Bengal police.
- Victim support measures recommended.
Bhubaneswar, Oct 13 (NationPress) Odisha's Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida engaged in a conversation with the chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW) regarding the appalling incident involving the gang rape of an Odia medical student in Durgapur, West Bengal, which occurred on Friday.
On her X handle, Parida highlighted that the NCW, following a report from its fact-finding team, has put forth several recommendations aimed at ensuring a just investigation into this horrific gang rape of the innocent medical student from the Jaleswar area in Balasore district, Odisha.
“I spoke with NCW Chairperson Smt. @VijayaRahatkar, who has taken serious cognizance of the heinous gang rape of an #Odia medical student at a medical college in Durgapur, West Bengal. The @NCWIndia has dispatched a fact-finding team and, based on their findings, has issued strong recommendations to the State Government of West Bengal, urging for a fair investigation, victim safety, quality medical care, academic relief, a comprehensive security audit, and stringent institutional accountability,” stated the Deputy Chief Minister.
The women’s wing of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a protest in Bhubaneswar on Monday evening, where they burnt an effigy of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in response to the brutal gang rape of an Odia medical student.
During the protest, BJP Mahila Morcha President Aishwarya Biswal expressed, “It is profoundly shameful that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, despite being a woman, has shown no empathy for the Odia girl who was violently assaulted in Durgapur.
“Her insensitive remarks and silence regarding this horrific event demonstrate a total disregard for women. Violence against women in West Bengal has been on the rise, and the state government has failed to safeguard its daughters. The BJP Mahila Morcha categorically condemns this incident and demands stringent punishment for the offenders.”
Additionally, workers from the Nari Nyay Vahini, affiliated with Congress, also protested in Bhubaneswar, advocating for justice for the Odia medical student.
Reports indicate that the victim, a second-year medical student at a private medical college in West Burdwan district's Durgapur, had gone off-campus with a male friend for dinner last Friday night when a group of young men on motorcycles began stalking them and making inappropriate comments.
The alleged assailants reportedly chased away the male companion, dragged the medical student into a nearby forested area, and gang-raped her.
As of now, the West Bengal police have apprehended five individuals involved in this heinous crime. A three-member team from the Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW), led by chairperson Sovana Mohanty, visited the victim at the hospital in Durgapur on Monday and checked on her health status.