What Happened in the Odisha Girl Gangrape Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Incident of gang-rape reported involving a medical student in Durgapur.
- Police investigation ongoing with one friend detained.
- Victim's family concerned for her safety.
- Students protest against negligence by authorities.
- Calls for urgent reforms to ensure women's safety.
Kolkata, Oct 11 (NationPress) The West Bengal Police took action on Saturday by detaining a companion of a second-year medical student from Odisha, who was reportedly gang-raped outside a private medical college and hospital in Durgapur, located in the West Burdwan district, according to official sources.
In response, the state health department has requested a detailed report from the authorities of the private medical institution.
Principal Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam indicated that the report is anticipated by Sunday morning, with subsequent actions to follow based on its conclusions.
As per police accounts, the student had left the campus with a male friend to grab an evening snack around 8:30 p.m. on Friday when they were followed by a group of young men on motorcycles who began to harass them with obscene remarks.
The assailants allegedly forced the male friend away, dragged the student into a nearby wooded area behind the campus, and sexually assaulted her. They also stole her mobile phone and discarded it.
When the male friend returned with others from the college, they discovered the injured student on the ground. She was subsequently admitted to a local hospital. Authorities confirmed that she hails from Jaleswar, Odisha.
A complaint made by the college led the Durgapur New Township Police to initiate an investigation, although no arrests have been executed thus far.
Abhishek Gupta, DC (East) of the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, stated, “The investigation is underway. We will update the public if any new information arises. Due to the sensitive nature of this case, we are proceeding with caution, considering all factors.”
The victim's family has voiced serious concerns regarding her safety. Her father expressed to the media, “My daughter is not safe here. I will not allow her to pursue her education here any longer. I will take her home.”
In the meantime, students organized a protest on the college campus, accusing the administration of negligence in maintaining security.
Local CPI(M) activists also demonstrated outside the campus, while BJP leaders joined in condemning the incident.
Archana Majumdar, a member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), expressed her outrage, attributing the incident to systemic failures in West Bengal.
She remarked, “Incidents of sexual assault and rape are on the rise because perpetrators are not apprehended or punished swiftly. We have yet to see rapists or murderers receive the ultimate punishment here. Justice is delayed due to unseen influences.”
Majumdar referenced the RG Kar Medical College case from August of last year, where a post-graduate trainee's body was discovered in a seminar hall, igniting protests nationwide.
The sole convict, Sanjoy Roy, received a life sentence, but the CBI has not yet concluded its inquiry into the more extensive conspiracy surrounding the crime.