Who Was Detained in the Gangrape Case Involving a Medical Student?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Incident of gang-rape raises serious safety concerns.
- Police investigation is ongoing with no arrests yet.
- Student protests highlight demands for improved security.
- Victim’s family fears for her safety.
- Systemic issues in handling sexual assault cases are being questioned.
Kolkata, Oct 11 (NationPress) On Saturday, the West Bengal Police took into custody a companion of a second-year medical student from Odisha, who was reportedly gang-raped outside a private medical college and hospital situated in Durgapur, located in West Burdwan district, according to officials.
In response, the state health department has requested a detailed report from the authorities of the private medical college.
Principal Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam indicated that the report is anticipated by Sunday morning, after which further actions will be determined based on its contents.
As per police reports, the student had left the campus with a male friend to grab an evening snack around 8:30 p.m. on Friday when a group of young men on motorcycles began to harass them with inappropriate comments.
The assailants reportedly chased away the friend, then dragged the student into a wooded area behind the campus, where they gang-raped her. They also stole her mobile phone and discarded it.
The male friend returned with others from the college and discovered the injured student lying on the ground. She was subsequently hospitalized. Police confirmed that she hails from Jaleswar, Odisha.
A complaint filed by the college prompted the Durgapur New Township Police to initiate an investigation, but no arrests have been made to date.
DC (East) of Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, Abhishek Gupta, stated, “The investigation is ongoing. Should new information arise, we will update the public accordingly. Given the delicate nature of the case, we are proceeding cautiously, considering all aspects.”
The victim’s family has voiced concerns regarding her safety. Her father expressed to the media, “My daughter is not safe here. I will not allow her to continue her education in this environment. I will take her home.”
Meanwhile, students have staged a protest within the college grounds, accusing officials of negligence in maintaining security.
Local CPI(M) members have also protested outside the campus, while BJP leaders joined in denouncing the incident.
Archana Majumdar, a representative of the National Commission for Women (NCW), expressed her disgust, attributing the incident to larger systemic issues in West Bengal.
She remarked, “The rise in sexual assaults and rapes is partly due to the failure to apprehend or punish the offenders swiftly. We have not witnessed rapists or murderers facing the ultimate consequences here. Justice is being delayed by unseen forces.”
Majumdar referenced the RG Kar Medical College incident from last August, where a post-graduate trainee's body was discovered in a seminar hall, inciting nationwide unrest.
The sole convict, Sanjoy Roy, received a life sentence; however, the CBI's investigation into the broader conspiracy surrounding the crime remains incomplete.