Durgapur Police Arrest Classmate in Alleged Assault Case

In a significant development in the Durgapur case, West Bengal Police announced on October 14 that they have ruled out the possibility of a gang rape occurring. They arrested the male classmate of the survivor, a 23-year-old medical student from Odisha, who had reported being assaulted near her college campus on October 10. Authorities now believe that only one individual was involved, countering earlier claims that multiple men had assaulted her.

Details of the Alleged Assault

The incident reportedly took place outside a private medical college in Durgapur, in a wooded area where the survivor had gone with her male friend for dinner. The assault allegedly occurred around 20:00, igniting outrage across both West Bengal and Odisha.

Following the survivor’s complaint, police apprehended five local residents on October 12 and October 13. Those detained were identified as Sheikh Safiqul, Sheikh Nasiruddin, Apu Bauri (21), Firdous Sheikh (23), and Sheikh Riazuddin (32), all hailing from nearby villages.

Inconsistencies and Arrests

As the investigation progressed, police uncovered contradictions in the survivor’s and her friend’s statements. Initially, she indicated that one person assaulted her while three were present. However, in a later account, she claimed that five men had attacked her. These inconsistencies prompted a thorough review of the case.

Security footage from the college complicated matters further. The footage showed the survivor and her male companion leaving campus at 19:54, with the friend returning alone at 20:42 and both reappearing together at 21:29. Police noted that she appeared calm, with her clothing intact, and did not seek assistance from nearby security personnel.

The male friend, a resident of Malda, was initially detained for questioning on October 11. Investigators described his responses as incoherent, leading to his formal arrest after further evidence corroborated suspicions against him.

Police Findings and Political Reactions

On October 14, police conducted a reconstruction of the alleged crime scene, involving the survivor’s friend and the previously arrested suspects. This process was documented on video, and a forensic team collected samples from the area. Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Sunil Kumar Choudhary confirmed that “only one person appears to have been involved” in the reported assault and noted that the classmate is “not above suspicion.” Medico-legal reports related to the accused are still pending.

Choudhary stated, “Based on the evidence collected and the survivor’s statement, we found that one person committed the physical assault. The role of the other five is being determined through investigation.”

In response to the incident, political figures have taken action. Mohan Charan Majhi, the Chief Minister of Odisha, reached out to the survivor and her mother, offering support. Additionally, Pratap Sarangi, a Member of Parliament from Balasore, visited the survivor in a hospital in Paschim Bardhaman district, although he faced temporary restrictions from security before being allowed to meet her.

The incident has also sparked protests in Kolkata, where BJP workers distributed red chilli powder to women as a self-defence measure, citing a decline in law and order in the state following the Durgapur case.

This evolving situation highlights the complexities of sexual assault reporting and the necessity for thorough investigation to ensure accountability.