Kolkata horror: A 20-year-old assaulted by two acquaintances after her birthday — what happened, and why it matters
What the police report says (the facts reported so far)
According to police statements filed after the survivor came forward, the incident took place on Friday night when the 20-year-old was invited by acquaintances to mark her birthday. The complainant told investigators that one acquaintance — identified in local reports as Chandan Mallick — offered to take her to another friend’s flat in the Regent Park area. At that flat, the woman alleges, she was locked inside and sexually assaulted by two men. She later managed to reach out to family and the matter was reported to the Haridevpur police station.
"An FIR has been registered and both accused named in the complaint are currently at large. Officers have launched an investigation and a manhunt is on," the police statement said (summarised from multiple news briefings).
Who are the accused (as named in reports)?
Local outlets report the accused as Chandan Mallick and a man identified as Dwip (commonly referenced as Deep or Deep Biswas). Some media reports mention that one of the men is a government employee; police databases and the investigation will confirm official identities and employment details as the case proceeds.
Timeline: how the events unfolded (reported timeline)
While investigators continue to piece together the sequence of events, the timeline reported by local news outlets and police briefings can be summarised as:
- Friday evening: The victim attends a birthday gathering or meets acquaintances to mark her birthday in Regent Park area.
- Later that night: She is taken to another flat, where she claims she was locked in and assaulted by two men.
- Following day(s): The survivor reports the crime to family; an FIR is lodged at Haridevpur police station.
- Police action: A case is registered, statements are recorded, forensic steps (medical examination, record of injuries) are initiated, and searches are launched to locate the accused.
What investigators are doing now
Police typically follow a few key steps in such cases: secure the survivor’s statement, conduct a medical/forensic examination (medical-legal certificate), examine CCTV footage from nearby locations, look for digital evidence (phone records, chat logs), identify witnesses, and track the movements of the accused. Local reports confirm that Haridevpur police have registered an FIR and launched searches to apprehend the two men named in the complaint.
Why timely medical and forensic care matters
If a survivor reports sexual assault, early medical attention is crucial for several reasons: it documents injuries, collects forensic evidence (where applicable), provides emergency contraception and STI prophylaxis if requested, and records an immediate clinical history that strengthens the case in court. Women’s support organisations and some hospitals have trained staff who can sensitively carry out these procedures; police assistance is often needed to take survivors to the medical facility or to arrange the necessary paperwork.
Practical steps for medical and legal documentation
- Go to a hospital with an emergency/forensic wing and ask for a medical-legal examination (MLC).
- Inform the attending doctor that you wish to have evidence collected — consent and dignity should be respected at every step.
- File a written complaint (FIR) with the local police station; if there is reluctance, survivors can approach a Superintendent of Police or request help from a women’s helpline.
- Keep copies of all paperwork, prescriptions, and the MLC report for future legal use.
Support for survivors: where to turn
Survivors need immediate medical care, legal help, and emotional support. Kolkata has NGOs and helplines that provide counselling, legal assistance and shelter. If you or someone you know needs help, consider reaching out to local women’s organisations, hospital social workers, or the police’s designated women officers. Confidential counselling services — including mental health professionals trained in trauma — are essential as survivors process the event.
- Ensure immediate safety; remove the survivor from the place of danger.
- Take them to a hospital for MLC and medical care; preserve clothing in a paper bag (do not wash).
- Help file an FIR; accompany the survivor to the police station if they wish.
- Help contact a trusted counsellor or women’s support organisation for emotional support and legal guidance.
Legal context: the law and what it provides
In India, sexual assault and rape are offences under the Indian Penal Code and other criminal statutes; the legal framework provides for investigation, medical examination, and prosecution. Survivors have rights to free medical attention under government schemes, to legal aid in many cases, and to dignity and privacy during proceedings. Fast-track courts or dedicated courts for sexual offences sometimes handle such cases to reduce delays, though court backlogs remain a challenge in many jurisdictions.
Public safety & prevention — what communities can do
Incidents like this expose both the limits of personal safety and the need for stronger community-level prevention: better street lighting, easily accessible helplines, rapid police response, community watch groups, and awareness programmes about consent and bystander intervention. Education — including discussions in colleges and youth spaces about boundaries and respectful behaviour — is a long-term but vital investment.
Why reporting matters — beyond individual justice
When survivors report crimes, they enable the justice system to act, allow patterns of abuse to be detected, and create pressure for systemic improvements — whether that means better policing, workplace accountability, or social change. Reporting also reduces the anonymity of perpetrators; in several cases, the visibility of a reported crime has led to swifter policing action and increased public scrutiny.
A note about media coverage and survivor privacy
Responsible reporting balances public interest with survivor privacy. Identifying details (names, photographs) of survivors should never be published. While the names of the accused — once named in FIRs or arrests — are often part of official reports, media outlets must avoid sensationalism and must follow local laws on reporting sexual offences.
What to watch next (how the case will likely proceed)
In the coming days investigators will likely (a) try to locate and arrest the accused, (b) collect forensic and digital evidence, (c) produce initial charge sheets if sufficient evidence is found, and (d) hand over the survivor for follow-up medical and counselling support. The pace at which any criminal case moves depends on evidence, witness cooperation, and court schedules. Local civil society groups may also get involved to support the survivor and to demand swift action.
How readers can help responsibly
If you live in the locality or saw anything relevant, contact the nearest police station and share verified information — do not spread rumour. If you can volunteer with or donate to reputable local women’s support organisations (after verifying them), that support can make a practical difference. Most importantly, treat survivors with empathy: unsolicited opinions, victim-blaming, or sharing intimate details on social media can further harm those affected.
This article is based on verified public reports and official police statements available at the time of writing. We have intentionally not published identifying details of the survivor out of respect for privacy and legal standards.
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