Kolkata, 16 July (H.S.):

The investigation into the alleged rape of a woman inside the IIM Joka campus has taken a dramatic turn, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) now raising concerns about the credibility of the complaint. Officials say the woman has consistently avoided cooperation with the police, leading to suspicions that parts of her story may have been fabricated.

Police sources confirmed that the complainant has failed to appear before the Alipore court for two consecutive days to record her confidential statement. Despite multiple attempts, officers have been unable to reach her by phone or at her residence in South 24 Parganas.

According to investigators, the woman had accused second-year MBA student Parmanand Mahabir Toppanabar, also known as Parmanand Jain, of drugging and raping her inside Room 151 of the “Lake View” hostel. He was arrested shortly after the complaint was filed last Friday.

However, since lodging the FIR, the woman has refused to undergo a medical examination and has not submitted her clothes for forensic testing. As a result, investigators are relying solely on forensic evidence from the accused’s belongings. Police have also collected food and water samples from the scene and sent them for chemical analysis.

Adding to the complexity, the woman’s father has reportedly told police that his daughter had not been assaulted, claiming instead that she was injured after falling from an auto-rickshaw. This statement, combined with her repeated absences and refusal to cooperate, has deepened doubts surrounding the case.

While officials are not ruling out any possibility, including that the initial complaint may have been distorted or one-sided, they are treating the case with caution due to its sensitive nature. A reconstruction of the crime scene has been conducted, and digital evidence, including phone records and social media interactions, is under scrutiny.

The SIT is expected to submit a status report to the court on Saturday, which may determine the future course of the investigation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh