Durgapur Horror: Three Arrested, One Detained in Gangrape of MBBS Student
In a deeply distressing case that has sparked outrage across Bengal and Odisha, three men have been arrested and another detained in connection with the gangrape of a 23-year-old MBBS student from Odisha near IQ City Medical College in Durgapur. The incident, which took place on Friday night, has prompted strong reactions from political leaders, women’s rights bodies, and the public.
According to police officials, the survivor, a second-year student originally from Jaleswar in Odisha, had gone out with a male friend when they were approached by a group of local men near the college gate. The men forcibly took her to a secluded spot roughly one kilometre away from the campus and raped her before fleeing the scene.
Four Locals Identified as Accused
The accused have been identified as Apu Bauri (21), Firdos Sekh (23), Sekh Reajuddin (31), and Sheikh Sofiqul. While three of them have been arrested, the fourth has been detained for questioning. Police confirmed that all four are residents of the Durgapur area. The suspects were presented before a local court on Saturday.
Authorities have registered a case under sections pertaining to gangrape and criminal liability for acts committed with common intention. Investigators are also probing the possible involvement of the victim’s male companion, who, according to the survivor’s family, played a role in luring her to the isolated location.
Family Alleges Betrayal by Victim’s Friend
In their complaint, the survivor’s family accused her friend of misleading her under false pretexts and taking her to a vacant area where the assault took place. The accused also allegedly robbed the survivor, taking her mobile phone and ₹5,000 in cash before escaping. Police sources confirmed that the role of the male friend is under investigation and that he remains “under the scanner.”
We are deeply saddened by the late night sexual assault yesterday on a private medical College student , outside the college campus in Durgapur, and wish to assure all that the culprits shall not go unpunished. The pain of the victim is as much ours as it is Odisha's, and we… https://t.co/jRd160Tqou
— West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) October 11, 2025
West Bengal Police Assures Swift and Strict Action
The West Bengal Police, in an official statement on X, condemned the assault and assured that all the perpetrators will face severe legal consequences. “We are deeply saddened by the sexual assault on a medical student from Odisha in Durgapur. The culprits shall not go unpunished. The pain of the victim is as much ours as it is Odisha’s,” the statement read.
Officials further added that the survivor is recovering and receiving all necessary medical and psychological support. The police urged citizens and media outlets to avoid spreading unverified claims that could compromise the investigation.
National Commission for Women Steps In
Archana Majumdar, a member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), visited the survivor at the hospital to assess her condition and speak with the authorities. Majumdar stated that the police must thoroughly investigate the involvement of the friend who accompanied the victim, noting that he had allegedly insisted she go out with him on the night of the crime.
Political Outrage Across States
The brutal crime has reignited political tensions between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP’s IT cell head Amit Malviya slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led government, alleging a recurring pattern of lawlessness and women’s safety failures. “West Bengal is not safe for women. The state government must ensure a transparent and impartial investigation,” he said.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also strongly condemned the assault, describing it as “highly painful and condemnable.” He urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure the accused face exemplary punishment and directed senior Odisha officials to coordinate with their West Bengal counterparts to support the survivor and her family.
TMC Minister Calls for Fast-Track Justice
TMC leader and West Bengal Minister Babul Supriyo called the incident “shameful and tragic,” demanding that the accused be tried in a fast-track court. “Such crimes must be met with the harshest possible punishment. No leniency should be shown,” he said.
As the investigation continues, the case has intensified demands for stronger action against sexual crimes in the state and for improved safety measures for women students in university and college towns across India.
