The Bengal BJP accused the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to protect women, saying justice “remains elusive” under her rule. The party cited the Durgapur incident as another example of the state’s worsening law and order situation.
BY PC Bureau
A 23-year-old woman from Odisha’s Jaleswar, studying at a private medical college in Durgapur’s Shivapur area, was allegedly gang-raped by three men near the college campus on Friday night, police said on Saturday. The victim, a second-year MBBS student at IQ City Medical College and Hospital, was reportedly attacked while returning from dinner with a male friend.
According to police, the incident took place around 8:30 p.m. when the woman and her friend stepped out of the hostel for dinner. Near the college gate, they were allegedly stopped by a group of men who dragged the woman into a nearby wooded area and assaulted her. The assailants allegedly fled the spot after the crime, leaving the victim unconscious.
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Following the assault, the woman was rushed to a nearby hospital where she is currently undergoing treatment. Police officials said her medical condition is stable but she remains traumatised. Her statement has been recorded, and an FIR has been lodged at the local police station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Durgapur# Night of Oct 10 , the second-year medical student was raped when she went out with one of her friends for dinner as alleg d by the family .
The medical student, from Jaleswar in Odisha, is undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital, NCW team to visit the hospital . pic.twitter.com/7qFZSZ87Z7
— Syeda Shabana (@JournoShabana) October 11, 2025
Friend Detained, CCTV Footage Examined
Police have detained the male friend who accompanied the victim for questioning. Investigators are scanning CCTV footage from around the college campus and nearby roads to identify the suspects. A forensic team has also collected evidence from the site where the crime allegedly took place.
“We are verifying the sequence of events based on the victim’s statement and available footage. Several people have been questioned so far,” a senior police officer said, adding that teams have been deployed to trace the accused.
The West Bengal Health Department has sought a detailed report from the college administration regarding the incident. Authorities have also been directed to review security arrangements on the campus and surrounding areas.
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Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken cognizance of the incident and announced that a team will visit Durgapur to meet the victim and her family. The Commission said it has written to the West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) seeking an update on the investigation and action taken so far.
The incident has triggered a political storm in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of failing to protect women in West Bengal.
In a post on social media platform X, the Bengal BJP said, “It seems that every day, Mamata’s regime witnesses the horrific rape of a woman student. The victim, a young woman from Odisha, is demanding justice, but people under Mamata’s rule never get it.”
Opposition leaders have demanded strict punishment for the perpetrators and improved safety measures for students in and around educational institutions. The CPI(M) and other local political groups also staged demonstrations in Durgapur, calling for a swift and impartial investigation.
Victim’s Family Seeks Justice
The victim’s family, who reached Durgapur on Saturday morning, said they were devastated by the incident and demanded justice. Her father said he had lost faith in the system and might not allow his daughter to continue her studies in Durgapur.
Students of the college also staged protests on campus, accusing the authorities of negligence and demanding enhanced security, particularly in the areas surrounding the college gate and hostel.
Police have intensified patrols in the Shivapur area and nearby localities. Senior officers from the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate are supervising the investigation. No arrests had been officially confirmed as of Saturday evening.
“The case is being treated with utmost seriousness. We are hopeful of making breakthroughs soon,” a police spokesperson said.
