West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday expressed shock over the alleged gang rape of an Odisha-origin medical student in Durgapur. However, her comments questioning why the survivor was “outside the campus at 12:30 am” have drawn sharp criticism.
Mamata Banerjee Questions Late-Night Movement
Speaking at a press briefing, Mamata Banerjee said private medical colleges must ensure the safety of their students, especially women.
“She was studying in a private medical college… all the private medical colleges are whose responsibility? How did she come out in the night at 12:30? It happened, as far as I know, in the forest area… investigation is on,” the chief minister said.
Banerjee added that private institutions must take more responsibility for protecting female students, saying they “should not be allowed to step out late at night.”
Incident Timeline Disputed
While the chief minister referred to the incident as having occurred around 12:30 am, the survivor’s parents claimed it happened much earlier.
According to them, they were informed of the incident around 9:30 pm on Friday, suggesting the attack took place before 10 pm.
The victim’s father told Hindustan Times that they received a distress call from their daughter’s classmates.
“We received a call around 9:30 pm saying our daughter was raped and we should come to Durgapur immediately. We reached the next morning. She is not well and is hospitalized. The attackers even demanded money to return her phone,” he said.
What Happened in Durgapur
Police said the survivor, a second-year MBBS student from Jaleswar in Odisha, went out with a male friend on Friday night to get food.
While returning, they were reportedly followed by a group of men.
According to the survivor’s mother, her daughter’s friend fled when three men started following them. The men then dragged the girl to a nearby forested area, where one of them allegedly raped her before fleeing with her phone.
“She was threatened with death if she shouted,” her mother said.
So far, three people have been arrested, while two others remain absconding, police sources confirmed. The investigation is ongoing.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
Mamata Banerjee said she was “deeply shocked” by the crime but insisted that colleges must take stronger safety measures. Her remarks, however, have sparked debate, with many calling them insensitive toward the survivor.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has sent officials to Durgapur to coordinate with West Bengal Police and ensure the survivor receives medical, legal, and emotional support.
