Odisha Medical Student Gang-Rape Case: One Detained, Health Dept Seeks Report

October 11, 2025

Kolkata: The West Bengal Police on Saturday detained a friend of a second-year medical student from Odisha, who was allegedly gang-raped near a private medical college and hospital in Durgapur, West Burdwan district. The case has sparked widespread outrage and protests within the campus and beyond.

Health Department Seeks Detailed Report

The West Bengal Health Department has sought a report from the college authorities regarding the incident.
Principal Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam said that the report is expected by Sunday morning, and further action will follow based on its findings.

Details of the Incident

According to police, the student stepped out of the campus with a male friend around 8:30 p.m. on Friday for an evening snack when a group of young men on motorcycles began stalking and harassing them with lewd comments.

The assailants allegedly chased away the friend, dragged the woman to a forested area behind the campus, and gang-raped her. They also snatched and discarded her mobile phone before fleeing.

Her male friend later returned with other students and found her injured and lying on the ground. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and is currently under treatment. Police confirmed that the survivor hails from Jaleswar in Odisha.

A formal complaint filed by the college led the Durgapur New Township Police to initiate an investigation. No arrests have been made so far, though one individual — her male friend — has been detained for questioning.

Police Statement and Ongoing Investigation

Abhishek Gupta, DC (East) of the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, said,
“The investigation is ongoing. If new information comes in, we will inform the public. Given the sensitive nature of the matter, we are proceeding carefully, keeping all aspects in mind.”

Family and Student Reactions

The victim’s family has voiced serious concerns over her safety. Her father told reporters,
“My daughter is not safe here. I will not let her continue her education here anymore. I will take her home.”

Inside the campus, students staged protests, accusing the authorities of failing to ensure adequate security. Outside the college, CPI(M) activists and BJP leaders also held demonstrations, condemning the assault and demanding justice.

National Commission for Women Expresses Outrage

Archana Majumdar, member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), criticised what she described as systemic failures in West Bengal’s handling of sexual assault cases.

“Sexual assault and rape incidents are increasing because culprits are not caught or punished promptly. Justice is being delayed due to some invisible hands,” she said, drawing parallels with the R.G. Kar Medical College case of August last year, where a post-graduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered within the hospital premises.

The sole convict, Sanjoy Roy, received a life sentence, but the CBI’s probe into the wider conspiracy remains incomplete.