Just as the country was recovering from the horrors of the RG Kar Medical Hospital Rape Case, yet another horrifying incident in Bengal has enraged the public. A second-year MBBS student of a private medical college near Shobhapur in Durgapur, approximately 170 km from Kolkata, was raped by a group of men outside her college premises, late Friday evening.

How did the incident happen?

According to the students of the college, the victim, who hails from Jaleswar in Odisha, stepped out of the college premises at 8:30 in the evening with a male friend. Thereafter, it is said that the victim was dragged by a man in a secluded area behind the hospital building and was sexually assaulted by 5 men.

On receiving information about the incident, police rushed to the spot and started an investigation. The survivor was admitted to a hospital for medical examination. Police have also begun questioning staff of the medical college and other individuals, including the friend who accompanied the woman.

Arrest and Investigation

The investigation by the West Bengal police has been effective with the arrest of 3 accused men, identified as Sheikh Riaz Uddin, Sheikh Firdaush, and Appu. At the same time, two other accused are still on the run. 

Read this article for information about the accused individuals!

The case has been filed under Section 70 (Gang Rape) and Section 64 (Punishment for Rape) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sahita. Under the Section 70 of BNS when a woman is raped by one or more persons constituting a group or acting in furtherance of a common intention, each such person is deemed to have committed the offence of rape and is punishable with rigorous imprisonment of not less than 20 years, which may extend to life imprisonment (i.e. for remainder of natural life), plus fine.

State Government’s Reaction

CM Mamta Banerjee’s reaction to this case has taken the internet by storm, and not for good reasons. 

"She was studying in a private medical college. Whose responsibility is it? How did she come out at 12.30 at night? They should not be allowed to come out. They have to protect themselves. It is a forest area," Banerjee had asked in her first remarks to the media after the incident.

In response to Banerjee’s statement, the victim’s father said that his daughter was attacked around 8 p.m., contradicting her claims. He slammed her comments as insensitive and said he would take his daughter back to Odisha for safety. The incident has reignited debate over women's safety and political accountability, as leaders trade blame instead of focusing on justice for the survivor.

Conclusion

As political parties are playing the blame game, the survivors’ mental and physical conditions remain critical. As this case has gained the media’s attention, it is being used as a tool for accusing the State Government. No sensitivity towards the conditions of the victim and her family is to be expected. But the question is- How many more women’s lives and integrity will be compromised before the political leaders start taking these cases as seriously as they should?