Horrific Gang-Rape Reported in Bengal: Medical Student from Odisha Abducted During Night Out
KOLKATA/ Paschim Bardhaman, — A deeply disturbing incident has come to light in the West Bardhaman district of West Bengal, where a medical student from Odisha was allegedly abducted and gang-raped after stepping out of her college campus late at night.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the case.
Incident Details: From Dinner Out to Abduction
According to police sources and family accounts, the victim was a second-year MBBS student from Jaleswar, Odisha, attending a private medical college in Durgapur.
On Friday night, around 9:30 pm, she left the college campus with a classmate to have dinner. The friend temporarily left her, and a group of unknown men surrounded her, forcibly abducting her while holding her phone.
The assailants allegedly dragged her to a nearby jungle or secluded area, where the crime was committed. During the assault, they reportedly threatened her with dire consequences if she informed anyone.
After the assault, she was found and admitted to a local hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment. Her condition is described as stable but critical, and emotional trauma is evident.
Arrests, Investigation & Reactions
By Sunday, police had arrested three men in connection with the case. Their identities have been released as Apu Bauri (21), Firdous Sheikh (23), and Sheikh Riazuddin (32).
Law enforcement officials say that they have seized the victim’s mobile phone from one of the accused. The accused allegedly hailed from nearby villages and were being questioned to determine whether more people were involved.
The police have registered cases under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including gang rape provisions and joint criminal liability.
A forensic team has also been tasked with gathering evidence from the crime scene, collecting CCTV footage, and reconstructing the victim’s phone records.
The Odisha Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, immediately demanded swift action and support for the victim’s family, requesting that the West Bengal government take “exemplary action” against the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, the victim’s father expressed deep concern for her safety, saying she was unable to walk and was being treated in bed. He appealed to authorities to allow his daughter to relocate back to Odisha, citing fear for her security in West Bengal.
Broader Concerns & Urgent Questions
This grievous case raises critical issues:
- Campus safety and security: How could such an assault occur so close to a supposedly secure college campus at night?
- Delayed registration and response: In many cases of violence against women, delays in FIR registration or investigation impede justice.
- Support and protection for victims: Beyond medical care, victims need psychological counseling, legal protection, and assurance of non-retaliation.
- Coordination between states: Since the victim hails from another state, cooperation between Odisha and West Bengal authorities is essential.
- Systemic change needed: Even as arrests are made, this incident reflects deeper gaps in law enforcement, campus protocols, and societal protection of women.
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