Kolkata, 11 October (H.S.): In a shocking incident, a medical student from Odisha was allegedly gang-raped outside a private medical college in Durgapur, West Bengal. Police on Saturday detained one of her male friends for questioning, while the state health department sought a detailed report from the college authorities.

Principal Secretary of the State Health Department, Narayan Swaroop Nigam, said that the report is expected by Sunday morning and further action will be taken based on its findings.

According to police sources, the incident occurred around 8:30 pm on Friday when the victim, a second-year student, went out with her male friend for snacks near the college campus. A group of men reportedly followed them on motorcycles, hurled obscene comments, and allegedly chased the male companion away before abducting the girl. She was then taken to a wooded area behind the college and gang-raped. The accused also snatched her mobile phone and threw it away before fleeing the scene.

The victim’s friend later returned with other students from the college and found her lying injured on the ground. She was immediately rushed to a local hospital for treatment. Police confirmed that the survivor hails from Jaleswar in Odisha.

A case has been registered based on the complaint filed by the college administration, and the investigation is being handled by the Durgapur New Township Police Station. No arrests have been made so far. Abhishek Gupta, Deputy Commissioner (East) of the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, said, “The investigation is underway. We are verifying every detail carefully as the case is extremely sensitive. Once any significant development occurs, it will be shared with the public.”

The survivor’s father, who arrived in Bengal from Odisha on Saturday morning, expressed deep concern over his daughter’s safety. “My daughter is not safe here. I will not allow her to continue her studies in this place. I am taking her back home,” he said. The family also lodged a separate complaint with the police.

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Students and Political Groups Stage Protests

Following the incident, students of the medical college launched a protest on campus, accusing the administration of negligence and lack of proper security measures. Members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also staged a demonstration outside the college premises, while BJP leaders strongly condemned the incident and demanded strict action.

Archana Majumdar, member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), criticized the state government over the growing number of crimes against women in Bengal. “Criminals here often roam free and justice is delayed, which emboldens others. That’s why such incidents keep happening,” she said.

Majumdar also drew parallels between the Durgapur case and last year’s R.G. Kar Medical College case, where a postgraduate doctor was raped and murdered, sparking nationwide outrage. In that case, the accused, Sanjay Roy, was sentenced to life imprisonment, though the CBI’s investigation into the larger conspiracy remains incomplete.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh