Durgapur, West Bengal: Two additional individuals were taken into custody on Monday in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a 23-year-old medical student in Durgapur, raising the total number of accused to five, police confirmed.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhisekh Gupta of the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate stated that all five suspects have been arrested following the survivor’s complaint. The incident reportedly occurred on Friday night when the second-year private medical college student, originally from Jaleswar in Odisha’s Balasore district, went outside the campus with a male friend for dinner.
According to police, the student initially submitted a brief written statement to college authorities describing how three men surrounded them and assaulted her. Two additional men later joined, allegedly committing the gang-rape. The accused reportedly offered the survivor Rs 5,000 to remain silent.
The male friend accompanying the student is currently under police detention as his actions on the night of the assault have raised suspicion. Investigators are examining why he did not alert other students or seek help after fleeing.
The first three accused were remanded to 10 days of police custody by the Durgapur Sub-Divisional Court on Sunday. Searches continue to identify any additional individuals involved or aware of the crime.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, also holding the home portfolio, assured stringent action, stating, “None of the accused will be spared.” She also raised questions regarding security at private medical colleges.
Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW) chairperson Sovana Mohanty traveled to Durgapur to meet the survivor, her family, and local police. An Odisha government delegation had previously attempted to meet the student but was reportedly denied entry to the hospital. The survivor is currently undergoing treatment and remains under medical observation.
