Subhechcha Ganguly 
A 23-year-old medical student from Odisha was allegedly gangraped by three men near her private medical college in Durgapur, West Bengal, on Friday night. Police said the incident occurred around 10 pm after the woman had stepped out for dinner with a male friend around 8.30 pm.
According to preliminary investigation, the friend reportedly left her alone for a while, during which three unidentified men attacked them. The men allegedly snatched her phone, dragged her to a nearby wooded area, and raped her. They also threatened her with dire consequences if she spoke about the incident and demanded money to return her phone.
The survivor, a second-year student, is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. Her parents, who rushed to Durgapur after learning about the assault, expressed shock and anguish. “We had heard that the college had a good academic reputation, so we sent our daughter here to study medicine,” her father said.
Police have recorded the survivor’s statement and are reviewing CCTV footage from the area. A forensic team is expected to visit the crime scene to collect evidence.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken cognizance of the incident and dispatched a team to Durgapur to meet the victim and her family. NCW member Archana Majumdar criticised the West Bengal government, saying, “Crimes against women are on the rise in Bengal. Police need to take more proactive action. I urge the chief minister to take immediate steps to curb such incidents.”
The state health department has also sought a detailed report from the medical college regarding the case, officials confirmed.
