The incident of gang rape of a medical student in Durgapur, West Bengal has shocked the entire country. The victim, a resident of Balasore, Odisha, was standing outside the college campus with her friend last Friday night when five youths abducted her and made her a victim of brutality. After this, the accused also offered him five thousand rupees to keep his mouth shut. Due to fear, the victim first complained of assault, but during the police investigation, the matter of gang rape came to light. After this the matter quickly escalated.
Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Sunil Kumar Chaudhary said that all five accused have been arrested. “We are saddened by this unfortunate incident,” he said. We have assured the victim’s family that justice will definitely be provided. He was offered security from our side, but he refused to take it.” The three accused were arrested on October 12 and produced in the court, where they were sent to 10-day police custody. The two accused arrested on Monday have been sent on police remand for 9 days.
According to police sources, the victim first gave a short written statement of three-four lines to the college administration. In that statement, she had simply written that she was walking outside the campus with a friend, when some people surrounded her and beat her up. The college administration immediately informed the police. After registering the case on the basis of this statement, investigation was started late at night.
During initial investigation, the police found out that this incident took place last Friday night between 8 pm and 8.45 pm. First three youths surrounded the student. When he tried to call his friends for help, his mobile was snatched away. After this two more people reached the spot. All five together kidnapped him. After this, they took her to the nearby forest, where she was gang-raped.
After this, the accused threatened the student and said that if she would leave quietly without telling anything to anyone, she would be given five thousand rupees. Her male friend who was present with the student at the time of this incident is also now on the police radar. He has been detained for questioning. The victim’s father has also filed a separate complaint. According to him, when the miscreants surrounded his daughter, the friend fled from the spot.
Along with this, the father launched a scathing attack on the Mamata government. He said, “The Chief Minister herself is a woman, yet how can she make such an irresponsible statement?” Should women leave their jobs and studies and sit at home? It seems that Aurangzeb is ruling Bengal. I want to take my daughter back to Odisha. We are afraid that someone might kill him. His life comes first, career second.
His statement came when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had made a controversial comment that girl students should not go out of the house at night. Mamta Banerjee had said, “I am shocked by whatever happened.” But private medical colleges should take care of their girl students. They should not be allowed to go out at night.” After this he clarified that his statement was presented out of context.
On his statement, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said, “Women leaders like Mamata Banerjee, who is called Didi, have disappointed women. His statement has insulted four and a half crore women of Bengal. Odisha State Women Commission Chairperson Sovana Mohanty also reached Durgapur and met the victim’s family. He said that this case is a shameful example of women’s safety.
west bengal Governor CV Anand Bose himself reached Durgapur on Monday and met the victim’s family. He said, “This is a very shocking incident.” This is not the first time this has happened. I cannot say with full confidence that Bengal is safe. Bengal once led the renaissance of India. Here today there seems to be a need for a second renaissance, where the safety of girls is the top priority.
This incident has created a political uproar. BJP has started a six-day strike in Durgapur. Opposition leader Subhendu Adhikari alleged that one of the arrested accused is associated with Trinamool Congress and works on contract in Durgapur Municipal Corporation. His father is a minister in Mamata government. This is clearly a matter of political patronage. This arrest is just a show. The accused will come out in 20 days.
He also claimed that the victim’s family has been denied access to medical reports. At the same time, TMC’s IT cell chief Debangshu Bhattacharya rejected these allegations and said that if an accused is a TMC supporter, it does not mean that the party is guilty. When we have 50 percent vote share, it is statistically normal for some criminals to be supporters.
The National Commission for Women has expressed deep pain over this incident. The college administration, National Medical Commission and the university have been requested to ensure academic security and support. Commission Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said that delay in justice is tantamount to denial of justice. The victim should get the best medical care and a speedy trial and strict punishment.
Issuing 11-point instructions, the Commission said that if the victim is afraid of returning to her college, she should be given the option of transferring to some other medical college. There has also been a demand to install CCTV cameras in the college, conduct security audit and set up a police post. Because of this incident, women’s safety and administrative accountability have become a central issue in Bengal politics.
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