Durgapur: In a shocking case that has triggered statewide outrage, police in West Bengal’s Durgapur have arrested all five accused in the alleged gang-rape of a medical student, a crime that has sparked political controversy and national debate on women’s safety.
The incident, which took place at a private medical college in Durgapur, has also drawn criticism over security lapses at educational institutions and remarks made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, which the victim’s family and opposition parties have called “insensitive.”
All five accused in custody, says police commissioner
Confirming the latest developments, Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Sunil Kumar Choudhary said all five suspects were arrested and are being interrogated. “The investigation into the alleged gang-rape of a medical student in Durgapur is our top priority. We are conducting a detailed crime scene reconstruction,” he said.
Police have recorded statements from several witnesses, collected forensic evidence, and secured CCTV footage from the campus. Preliminary findings suggest that the accused and the victim were known to each other and that the crime took place inside a hostel premises.
Father questions security, cites ₹80 lakh in college fees
The victim’s father has raised serious questions about security arrangements at the medical college, stating that he had already paid ₹80 lakh towards his daughter’s education, yet she was “not given proper security.”
Speaking to reporters, he said, “We trusted the institution with our child’s safety. I have already paid ₹80 lakh, but there was no security in the hostel. How could such a heinous incident happen inside a medical college?”
He demanded that the state government take swift action not just against the perpetrators but also against those responsible for lapses in campus security.
Political storm over Mamata Banerjee’s remarks
The case has ignited a fierce political backlash after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s comments appeared to downplay the incident. She reportedly suggested that the circumstances surrounding the case required “further verification,” which opposition parties and women’s groups slammed as “callous and victim-blaming.”
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought an explanation from the state government over the handling of the case and the Chief Minister’s statements. “Insensitive remarks in such grave matters can influence investigations and discourage survivors from coming forward,” said NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma.
Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have also criticised the state administration, accusing it of failing to ensure the safety of women and of “shielding the powerful.” BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari demanded a court-monitored probe, while Congress’s Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the Chief Minister’s “dismissive comments” were an insult to the survivor’s dignity.
Forensic investigation underway
Police sources said that a forensic team has collected biological samples from the crime scene and from the suspects, which have been sent for analysis. Medical examination reports are awaited.
A senior police official said the crime scene reconstruction is crucial to corroborate the survivor’s statement and ensure watertight evidence in court. “We are treating this case with utmost seriousness. No one will be spared if found guilty,” the official added.
College administration under scrutiny
The college management has come under fire for alleged negligence. Parents’ associations and student unions have demanded an independent inquiry into the institution’s safety protocols.
A spokesperson for the college said they were “cooperating fully” with the investigation and have formed an internal committee to review security systems. However, critics argue that such committees have little impact unless there is accountability at the administrative level.
Nationwide concern over women’s safety
The Durgapur case has revived national debate on campus safety and violence against women in educational institutions. Several women’s groups have staged protests in Kolkata, Delhi, and Bengaluru, demanding stricter implementation of anti-harassment policies and round-the-clock surveillance in student hostels.
Experts have called for systemic reforms, including gender-sensitisation programmes, emergency helplines within college premises, and regular third-party safety audits.
Conclusion
As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the survivor and accountability for institutional failures. The arrests of all five accused mark a major step forward, but questions persist about the broader issues of women’s safety and the state’s political response.
The case is expected to be presented before a local court later this week, with police likely to seek custodial remand for further interrogation.