Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged rape of a 23-year-old medical student in Durgapur, West Bengal, another disturbing incident of sexual assault has come to light. A second-year engineering student in Kolkata was allegedly raped by a classmate after her drinks were reportedly spiked with drugs. The accused has been arrested from the Anandapur area.

According to senior police officials, the student, who had come to the state for her studies, lodged a formal complaint at the Anandapur police station. She alleged that her classmate spiked her drinks, causing her to lose consciousness, after which he allegedly raped her. Details regarding the student’s hometown have not been disclosed.

“The student stated in her complaint that she was staying in a rented flat in Anandapur when the accused came and mixed drugs into her drinks. After she became unconscious, he allegedly assaulted her,” a police officer told PTI. The accused reportedly went into hiding for several days but was apprehended by the police upon returning to his home. A city court subsequently sent him to police custody until October 22, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities have said that further details will be revealed as the probe progresses.

Connection to Durgapur Medical College Case

This incident comes amid heightened attention on sexual assault cases in West Bengal, particularly following the alleged gangrape of a 23-year-old medical student in Durgapur. The Durgapur case has already seen multiple arrests, including that of the student’s male classmate, who accompanied her off-campus on the night of the incident on October 10. Police investigations initially suggested that the medical student had been gangraped by multiple men, but further scrutiny of CCTV footage, medical records, and witness statements led the authorities to question the initial narrative.

The Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner, Sunil Kumar Choudhary, stated that investigation and medical reports so far indicate the involvement of only one person. He also mentioned that the roles of other suspects, including the friend of the victim, are still under review. CCTV footage from the campus reportedly showed the medical student walking calmly back to college with her classmate, her clothes appearing intact, which contradicted earlier claims of gangrape in a forested area.

Police have arrested six individuals in connection with the Durgapur case, and all are currently in custody. Investigators are continuing to review evidence to clarify the sequence of events and the involvement of each person.

Broader Implications

The recent incidents have triggered renewed concerns about student safety, campus security, and the handling of sexual assault cases in West Bengal. Both the Kolkata and Durgapur cases highlight the importance of timely reporting, strict enforcement of laws related to sexual assault, and transparent investigation processes. Authorities have assured that investigations will continue rigorously and that any lapses will be addressed.

With the ongoing Durgapur case and now the alleged assault of the engineering student in Kolkata, the incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of students, particularly women, in educational institutions across the state.