Durgapur:
The West Bengal Police on Monday confirmed that all five accused in the alleged gangrape of a medical student in Durgapur have been taken into custody, following the arrest of two more individuals. The case, which has triggered widespread outrage and political controversy, involves a second-year MBBS student of a private medical college in the city.
Five accused now in custody
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhisekh Gupta of the Asansol–Durgapur Police Commissionerate said that with the latest arrests, all five accused named in the survivor’s complaint are now in custody. “Two more arrests have been made. With these, all five accused have been taken into custody based on the complaint filed,” Gupta said, speaking to news agency PTI.
Earlier on Sunday, three of the accused were arrested after the 20-year-old survivor, originally from Jaleswar in Odisha, lodged a complaint alleging that she was sexually assaulted outside the medical college campus on Friday night.
Incident and investigation
According to police sources, the survivor had stepped out with a friend for dinner when the alleged assault occurred. She is currently undergoing treatment at the same hospital where she studies and has provided her statement to investigators.
Police said that medical and forensic examinations are being carried out, and the case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to rape and criminal conspiracy.
The Asansol–Durgapur Police Commissionerate has formed a special team to probe the case. Officers said that CCTV footage from around the medical college and nearby areas is being analysed to establish the sequence of events.
Political row over Mamata’s comment
The case has taken on a political dimension following remarks by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who questioned why the student had left the college campus late at night. “We take cases like these very seriously in Bengal. Three persons have been arrested and investigation is on. But how could the student leave the campus at night? It is a forest area. The private medical college must take care of its students,” she said during a press interaction.
Her comment sparked sharp criticism, with opposition parties accusing her of victim-blaming. The BJP, in particular, condemned the Chief Minister’s statement. Party national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia called her remarks “shameful” and said Banerjee was “a blot on womanhood”.
Backlash from opposition leaders
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar criticised the Trinamool Congress government, alleging that such comments discourage women’s freedom. “Earlier, after the RG Kar Medical College incident, the state had advised companies to reduce night shifts for women. Now the Chief Minister is saying that women should not go out at night. Does she want all women to wear burqas and stay at home?” he asked.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also hit out at Banerjee and sections of the media for their silence on the issue. “Imagine if this statement was made by a BJP Chief Minister! The whole ecosystem and self-declared liberal journalists would have created an unbearable situation in the country,” Rijiju wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Clarification from the Chief Minister
Facing mounting criticism, Banerjee later clarified that her remarks were being “distorted” and reiterated that her government remains committed to ensuring women’s safety and justice for the survivor. “My statement was taken out of context. The culprits will be punished. We have zero tolerance for such crimes,” she said.
Public outrage and demand for justice
The incident has sparked protests across Durgapur and Kolkata, with student groups and women’s rights organisations demanding swift justice. Many have called for stricter safety measures in and around educational institutions, particularly in areas considered unsafe at night.
Police officials said they are taking the case “very seriously” and have assured that the investigation will be conducted in a time-bound manner.