TL;DR: A 23-year-old medical student from Odisha was gangraped near her college in Durgapur, West Bengal, on October 10, 2025. Police arrested four suspects, and the investigation continues. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s comments sparked backlash for alleged victim-blaming.
What Happened
- A 23-year-old second-year MBBS student from Odisha was gangraped near IQ City Medical College in Durgapur, West Bengal, on October 10, 2025, after going out for dinner with a male friend around 8 PM.
- The assault occurred in a forested area near the campus, where attackers stole her phone and demanded Rs 5,000.
- Four suspects, Apu Bauri, Firdous Sheikh, Sheikh Riazuddin, and Sheikh Sofiqul, have been arrested, with police using drones to search for others.
Investigation Details
- The victim’s friend, who fled during the attack, is under investigation for allegedly luring her to the location.
- The victim is receiving treatment in Durgapur; her family has requested a transfer to Bhubaneswar, citing safety concerns.
- Police formed a Special Investigation Team, collecting forensic evidence and reviewing CCTV footage, though the crime scene lacks coverage.
Political and Public Reaction
- West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condemned the crime but said, “Girls should not be allowed to go outside [the college] at night,” and criticized college security, prompting accusations of victim-blaming.
- Banerjee clarified her remarks were “deliberately distorted,” emphasizing “zero tolerance” for such crimes.
- Opposition leaders, including BJP’s Gaurav Bhatia, called her comments a “Taliban mentality” and demanded her resignation.
- Protests erupted in Durgapur and Kolkata, with demands for a CBI probe and better campus safety measures.