Subhechcha Ganguly 
A second-year student of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C), identified as Mahaveer Toppannvar alias Parmanand Jain, was arrested on Saturday following a complaint of alleged rape by a woman visitor to the campus. The woman, not affiliated with the institute, claimed that the accused drugged and raped her during a visit to the boys’ hostel for a counselling session.
According to the FIR, the complainant began feeling drowsy after consuming pizza and water offered by the accused. Police sources reported that the woman had not signed in at the main gate or the hostel visitor’s book. The preliminary investigation is ongoing, and the accused has been remanded to police custody until July 19.
However, the case took an unexpected turn when the woman’s father denied the rape allegations, asserting that his daughter had fallen from an autorickshaw and “lost her senses”. Speaking to the media, he stated that he received a call around 9:34 PM on Friday, informing him that his daughter had been taken to SSKM Hospital’s neurology department after the fall, where she was rescued and admitted by the police.
The accused’s mother also came forward, defending her son and insisting he was incapable of such an act. “My son can never do something so shameful,” she said.
Amid growing media attention and public scrutiny, IIM Calcutta released an official statement emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy towards such incidents and assured full cooperation with the police investigation. The institute reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful campus environment.
Political reactions have followed swiftly. The ruling Trinamool Congress urged against politicizing the issue and appealed for a fair probe. BJP MP and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar echoed the need for an impartial investigation and stated he would raise the matter with IIM-C authorities.
As conflicting narratives emerge, pressure mounts for a transparent and unbiased inquiry into the allegations.
