The main accused in the gang rape of a second-year medical student in Durgapur, West Bengal, has been identified as Firdous Sheikh, while five others have been named as co-accused in the case. Among them is the survivor’s boyfriend and classmate, who, according to the survivor’s lawyer Partha Ghosh, is believed to be the “main conspirator or mastermind” behind the assault.
Details of the accused were disclosed during the Test Identification (TI) parade report presented in the Durgapur Sub-divisional Court on Monday.
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The 20-year-old medical student from Odisha was allegedly gang raped on October 10 in a forested area near a private medical college and hospital in Durgapur.
Following the completion of their five-day judicial custody, all six accused were produced virtually before the court from the correctional facility. During the hearing, none of the accused were represented by a lawyer and personally appealed to the judge for bail.
Advocate Ghosh informed that the presiding judge emphasized the need for the speedy submission of the charge sheet and the prompt commencement of the trial.
“If the police submit the charge sheet before the next hearing on October 31, the trial process will begin very quickly. Copies of the charge sheet will first be provided to all parties, followed by the framing of charges,” Ghosh stated.
The court rejected the bail pleas of all six accused and extended their judicial custody till October 31, directing authorities to expedite the investigation and trial proceedings.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
