Three people have been arrested in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a medical student from Odisha near a private medical college in Durgapur, Paschim Bardhaman district of West Bengal.
The arrests came 36 hours after the shocking incident, though police have not yet revealed the identities of the accused. Officials said interrogation is underway to identify others involved and confirm the sequence of events.
Crime in a Secluded Area
According to initial reports, the crime took place late on Friday night in a forested area behind the hospital building near Shobhapur. Due to the terrain, police vehicles could not reach the spot, and investigators had to inspect the scene on foot.
The survivor, a second-year MBBS student from Jaleswar in Balasore district of Odisha, had reportedly stepped out of the campus with a male friend to get food when a group of men began following them. The suspects allegedly attacked the duo, dragged the woman away, and assaulted her before fleeing.
The Durgapur Police Commissioner met both the survivor and her friend, who is currently being questioned. Police are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas and verifying statements from college security staff and witnesses.
Protests and Public Outrage
The incident triggered massive student protests on the Durgapur medical campus on Saturday. Hundreds of students gathered to demand the immediate arrest of all accused and stronger safety measures for women on and around the campus.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the case and sent a special team to Durgapur to meet the survivor and monitor the investigation’s progress.
Family Alleges Negligence and Threats
The survivor’s father, who arrived in Durgapur on Saturday, alleged that hospital authorities failed to provide support or updates following the assault.
He claimed the family is being kept in the dark and accused the West Bengal government of remaining silent on the issue. He further alleged that attempts are being made to divert attention from the case, adding that he has received threats to his life.
Survivor’s Condition Stable
The survivor is currently under treatment at a hospital in Durgapur and is said to be in stable condition. Medical teams from both West Bengal and Odisha are monitoring her recovery closely.
A special team from Balasore that visited her on Saturday reported gradual improvement in her health.
