Medical Student from Odisha Allegedly Gang Raped by unidentified men in Paschim Bardhaman

Majhi Draws Mamata's Attention, Panja Says Incident Shouldn't Be Politicised

PTI KOLKATA/BHUBANESHWAR, OCT 11, 2025 : A medical college student from Odisha was allegedly raped by unidentified men in West Bengal's Paschim Bardhaman district, police said on Saturday. The police began an investigation into the incident that occurred outside the private medical college campus in Durgapur on Friday night when the second-year student went out with one of her friends for dinner, her family members said. 

The survivor, from Jaleswar in Odisha, is undergoing treatment at the college hospital and gave her statement to the police, an officer said. "On the basis of a complaint lodged by the family members of the medic, we have started an investigation," he said. Later, DC (East) of Durgapur Commissionerate, Abhishek Gupta, said: "The matter is sensitive. The investigation is being conducted with all aspects in mind. As soon as more information is available, it will be shared."

Talking to reporters, the parents of the student said they reached Durgapur this morning after getting a call from their daughter's friends. Her mother alleged that her daughter was "gang-raped" around 10 pm on Friday when she went out of the college campus with one of her friends for dinner. "We came here this morning and lodged a complaint with the police. I have heard that the college performed well academically, and this is why we sent our daughter to study medicine here," the student's father said.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed concern over the incident and sought the intervention of Mamata Banerjee, his counterpart in the neighboring state, in taking action against the culprit. The incident occurred outside the private medical college campus in Durgapur in Paschim Bardhaman district on Friday night when the second-year student was out with one of her friends for dinner, her family members said. She is undergoing treatment in a nearby hospital. 

Taking to X, Majhi said: "The unfortunate incident of gang rape involving an Odisha student in Durgapur, West Bengal, is highly condemnable and painful. I am deeply shocked upon hearing this news. In this sensitive matter, I strongly urge the Honorable Chief Minister of West Bengal, @MamataOfficial, to take exemplary action against the accused as per the law". The Odisha Chief Minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of the victim. "Additionally, I have instructed senior officials to contact the West Bengal government and take necessary steps. All possible assistance will be provided to the victim's family on behalf of the Odisha government," Majhi said.

Following the incident that occurred after last year's RG Kar hospital rape-murder case, the Opposition BJP claimed that law and order "totally collapsed" under Mamata Banerjee's rule, the TMC said such matters should not be politicised. 

An initial probe revealed that the student went outside the campus with her friend around 8-8.30 pm on Friday, the police officer of New Township Police Station in Durgapur said. "The friend left her alone when three unidentified men arrived there. The men snatched her phone and took her to a jungle outside the campus, where they raped her. She was threatened with dire consequences if she told anyone about the incident," the officer said. 

The accused also demanded money from the medic to return her mobile phone, he said. "We spoke to the victim's friend last night. We are trying to find out CCTV footage. A forensic team will visit the spot to collect evidence," the officer said. A team of the National Commission for Women (NCW) reached the hospital in Durgapur to meet the victim and her parents.

"Crime against women is on the rise in Bengal. The police are not taking any proactive steps in such cases. This is quite unfortunate. I will request the Chief Minister to come forward and work in tandem to arrest the rise of such crimes," NCW member Archana Majumdar said.