West Bengal Horror: Medical Student Gang-Raped Near Durgapur College
A
chilling crime has once again shaken West Bengal as a second-year MBBS student from Odisha was allegedly gang-raped near a private medical college in Durgapur. The horrifying assault, which occurred late Friday evening, has sent shockwaves through the state, reviving the haunting memories of the RG Kar case that rocked Kolkata in 2024.
Incident: A Normal Evening That Turned Into Nightmare
T
he 22-year-old victim had stepped out with a male friend to have dinner at a nearby restaurant. Around 8:30 PM, the two were returning to their hostel when a group of men allegedly stopped them near the college gate. According to police sources, the assailants dragged the young woman to a secluded stretch of road near a construction site and took turns raping her while her companion was reportedly threatened and beaten.
Local residents discovered the traumatized student about an hour later, semi-conscious and severely injured. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she is currently under medical observation. Police officials have collected forensic samples and are awaiting medical confirmation reports to support the FIR lodged by the victim’s family.
Police Investigation and Suspects
T
he Durgapur Police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case. As of Saturday morning, two suspects have been detained based on CCTV footage gathered from nearby establishments. The male friend who accompanied the victim is also being questioned to clarify the timeline and circumstances of the crime.
Police Commissioner Rahul Ghosh stated, “We are treating this case with utmost seriousness. No one involved will be spared. We are also examining whether the accused had prior connections with the victim or her friend.”
Campus Security and Student Protests
T
he crime has triggered a wave of outrage among students of the medical college and nearby institutions. Hundreds of students marched in protest on Saturday morning, demanding better campus security, installation of CCTV cameras, and immediate justice for the victim.
“We cannot study in fear,” said a protesting medical student. “If such an attack can happen so close to our college gate, none of us are safe.” Students have submitted a written memorandum to the college administration, seeking stronger collaboration between the campus security and local police.
Political Reactions and Public Outrage
O
pposition parties in West Bengal have condemned the incident, calling it a failure of law and order. The BJP and Congress leaders criticized the Trinamool government for not providing adequate safety for women, especially in educational hubs like Durgapur and Kolkata. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted that “strict action will be taken” and that “justice will not be delayed.”
Women’s rights activists have pointed out a disturbing pattern of rising sexual assault cases in the state. “From RG Kar to Durgapur, institutional negligence continues,” said activist Satarupa Sen. “Authorities act only after public outrage.”
Echoes of RG Kar Case
T
he Durgapur assault has rekindled public anger over the infamous RG Kar Medical College case in Kolkata, where a junior doctor was found raped and murdered in her hostel room in 2024. That case had led to massive protests across India and calls for systemic reform in medical campus safety. Comparisons are now being drawn between the two cases due to their similar nature — young medical students, within academic spaces, and delayed institutional responses.
Voices of Fear and Hope
S
tudents across West Bengal are now sharing safety helplines, forming peer networks, and demanding night patrols around hostels. NGOs and women’s groups are offering legal and psychological assistance to the victim’s family. “We want justice, not sympathy,” said a classmate of the victim.
Despite the fear, solidarity is rising. From Kolkata to Siliguri, candlelight vigils have been held demanding the arrest of all culprits and accountability from the college administration. The student’s condition is said to be stable, and police have promised daily briefings to ensure transparency.
Post a Comment