A second-year medical student at a private college in Durgapur, West Bengal, was allegedly dragged and raped on hospital premises on Friday night, triggering outrage and a political slugfest. The incident bears resemblance to the 2024 RG Kar case, where a junior doctor was raped and murdered.
The survivor, from Jaleswar in Odisha, was pursuing her MBBS at the college near Shobhapur in Durgapur, the largest industrial hub in West Bengal, 170 km from Kolkata. Sources said she had stepped out with a male friend around 8:30 pm when a man allegedly dragged her to a secluded area behind the hospital and assaulted her. The attacker also reportedly took her mobile phone and demanded money.
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Police rushed to the scene and admitted the student for medical examination. Investigations are ongoing, with staff members of the college and the accompanying friend being questioned.
The student’s father criticised the college’s security arrangements, saying there was no proper response from the administration. “I want justice for my daughter so that such incidents do not happen to any other girl,” he said.
The West Bengal Doctors’ Front condemned the gangrape, calling it another chilling reminder that women are not safe even on campuses. They demanded a judicial inquiry under the Chief Justice of India.
The BJP criticised the state government for repeated failures in law and order, calling for accountability and describing West Bengal as unsafe for women. In response, Trinamool leader Shashi Panja accused the opposition of politicising the matter, pointing to crimes against women in other states.
The incident adds to a string of cases in West Bengal, including the July gangrape of a law student in South Calcutta Law College and the notorious RG Kar Medical College case. Both parties continue to clash over the state’s handling of crimes against women.
