Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW) will soon visit West Bengal to enquire about the health condition of the 2nd-year medical student, who was allegedly gang-raped near a private medical college in Paschim Bardhaman district.
Addressing the media here on Sunday, OSCW chairperson Sovana Mohanty described the incident as extremely barbaric, condemnable and painful. “I have written to the DG and IG addressing the crime against women, West Bengal Women’s Commission and the police authorities seeking their intervention in the case. I also personally spoke to the survivor’s father, who informed me that three miscreants confronted the girl who went out with a male friend to have ‘puchka’ in the evening and strolled towards a jungle area. The miscreants demanded Rs 3,000 from the male friend, who then abandoned her and fled. They then dragged her to a nearby forest area and took turns to rape her. Later, two to three more miscreants joined,” she said.
Mohanty further stated that the Odisha government has written to the West Bengal government for immediate arrest of the accused and to ensure harshest possible punishment for them. “The Odisha government is also in touch with the survivor’s family members and is ensuring she gets all the necessary medical care,” she added.
She further slammed the West Bengal government for the “poor” law and order situation in the neighbouring state. “Persons belonging to the minority community are involved in the brutal gangrape of the Odisha girl,” she alleged.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had earlier spoken with the survivor’s father, pledging full government support for her recovery and legal assistance, emphasising that the accused must face severe punishment.
‘Don’t Want Her To Stay In Bengal’
The father of the 23-year-old from Jaleswar said he will be taking her back to Odisha as he is concerned about her safety in Bengal.
The survivor, currently under treatment, has recorded her statement with the police. “She is unable to walk and is on bedrest,” her father told news agency ANI.
“The Chief Minister, DG, SP, and Collector are all helping us a lot and regularly enquiring about her health… I have requested the Chief Minister to let us take my daughter to Odisha. I am concerned about her safety here. They could kill her here any moment Trust has been lost. We have requested her to let us take her away. She will pursue her education in Odisha,” he added.
According to the complaint, the assault took place between 8.30 pm and 9 pm on Friday, around 1.5 km from the college campus. The accused allegedly took the girl’s phone, demanded money, then dragged her to an isolated area and assaulted her. Her classmate, who had briefly left the scene, returned to find her injured and escorted her back to the hostel. College officials noted that both students left campus at 7.58 pm and returned at 9.29 pm. A college statement confirmed that the female student reported being assaulted while off-campus.
The family received a call from her classmates around 9.30 pm, who informed them about the incident and asked them to immediately come to Durgapur. They reached the campus on Saturday morning.
Main Culprit Still At Large?
Meanwhile, Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi visited the incident site to assess the situation first-hand and demanded the immediate arrest of the prime accused. “West Bengal has now become a safe haven for terrorists and anti-social elements. The government seems to be promoting such activities. While three persons have been arrested, the main accused is still at large,” he added.
In a social media post, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “The incident in Durgapur, West Bengal, involving a medical student from Odisha is despicable and painful….. Such shameful incidents and crimes against women have no place in society.”
Taking to X, BJP National Vice-President & Kendrapada MP Baijayant Panda also wrote: “West Bengal has sadly become a safe haven for criminals! The shocking gangrape of an Odia student in Durgapur exposes the alarming collapse of law & order in the state. Neither local residents nor students from other states are safe anymore.”
He also urged West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to personally intervene and ensure the culprits get the harshest possible punishment.
The West Bengal Police have so far arrested three suspects after an overnight search. “We have arrested three persons in connection with the case. They are being questioned. This is a very sensitive case and we will give out further details later,” PTI news agency quoted a police officer.
Later, CM Mamata Banerjee also confirmed the arrests.
Odisha Team Meets Gang-Rape Survivor
On Saturday, a four-member team from Balasore district administration, including District Social Welfare Officer Jyotsna Mohanty and a Deputy Superintendent of Police, visited Durgapur to meet the second-year medical student.
The team will meet Durgapur police on Sunday to review the the progress in the investigation and the medical support being provided.
NCW Seeks Report From West Bengal Police
A four-member team from the National Commission for Women (NCW) inspected the crime spot and also met the student at the hospital on Saturday. It has sought a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) from West Bengal authorities within five days.
“She is in a state of shock. Her condition is stable. She has suffered some injuries. This is very unfortunate and alarming. I am shocked, said Gynaecologist and NCW member Archana Majumdar, while criticising the West Bengal’s law and order situation.
She also urged the Mamata Banerjee government for swift justice.
“NCW has gone there and has been gathering information about the incident. We want action to be taken regarding what happened… Despite having a woman chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, in West Bengal, it is unfortunate to see such incidents happening there again and again. She should take strict action on this. Additionally, checking security arrangements in the college is necessary, specifically verifying whether the CCTV cameras are functioning properly… We will take further action after the NCW team, which has gone there, submits its report…” Union Minister Annpurna Devi told ANI.