Kolkata, 17 October (H.S.) — In a major development in the ongoing Durgapur gangrape investigation, police officials revealed that the victim and arrested medical student Wasif Ali were in a romantic relationship. According to investigators, WhatsApp chats and other digital evidence have confirmed their relationship.

A senior police officer involved in the probe said both the victim and Wasif Ali have been repeatedly changing their statements, apparently to mislead the investigation. “It has now been established that both of them had gone to the forested area together that night, where the alleged assault took place,” the officer said.

Police sources added that during interrogation, several inconsistencies emerged between the statements of the victim and Wasif Ali. “Their versions did not match on multiple occasions,” a source said, adding that the contradictions prompted investigators to take Wasif Ali into custody for further questioning.

Investigators have also conducted confrontation interrogations by placing the accused face-to-face and cross-examining them simultaneously. Some forensic samples recovered from the crime scene have been sent for detailed examination and remain a crucial part of the probe.

Officials stated that the investigation team is scrutinizing every aspect to uncover the truth. “If any deliberate attempts are found to derail the investigation, corrective measures will be taken, and strict action will follow against those responsible,” a police source said.

Earlier, the victim’s father had demanded a CBI investigation, but police clarified that the preliminary inquiry is continuing based on the documents and evidence gathered so far, which have provided key leads in the case.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh