A dramatic development has emerged in the Durgapur gangrape case in West Bengal, which had attracted national attention. On Tuesday evening, police arrested a 23-year-old classmate of the medical student who had earlier alleged she was gangraped near her college campus on October 10. Authorities have now stated that no gangrape took place, challenging the initial claims and altering the course of the investigation.
Here is a detailed overview of the case and its recent developments:
1. Arrest of the Survivor’s Classmate
The arrested individual, a classmate and friend of the survivor, is said to have been involved in inconsistencies in the survivor’s account. Security footage shows that the survivor and her friend left the college campus together at 7:54 pm, returned at 8:42 pm, left again at 8:48 pm, and then came back together at 9:29 pm.
While both initially claimed they had gone out for dinner, the survivor later alleged that her friend was contacted by other suspects after the alleged incident. Police noted contradictions in these statements, which led to the friend being arrested after being previously detained on October 11 as part of the investigation.
2. Police Focus on Sole Involvement
According to Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Sunil Kumar Choudhary, the classmate is now considered the primary suspect, and there appears to be only one individual involved in the alleged incident. The roles of others who were earlier detained remain under review.
3. Earlier Arrests and Charges
Before the arrest of the classmate, five local villagers were taken into custody as part of the broader investigation. These included:
- Sheikh Safiqul
- Sheikh Nasiruddin
- Apu Bauri (21)
- Firdous Sheikh (23)
- Sheikh Riazuddin (32)
These individuals are residents of nearby villages. While initial reports cited gangrape and criminal conspiracy chargesunder sections 70(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), police now say the investigation and medical findings indicate that only one person was primarily involved.
4. Contradictions in Statements
Police have highlighted discrepancies in statements from the survivor, her classmate, the previously arrested suspects, and even medical reports. Initially, the survivor told a doctor that three people were present, but only one committed the crime. Later, she alleged that five men dragged her into a forest and gangraped her, creating major contradictions.
5. Evidence from Security Footage
College surveillance footage has played a key role in challenging claims made by the survivor. The video shows the survivor returning to campus calmly, with her clothes intact and without seeking immediate help from campus security personnel.
A senior officer noted, “When a woman is dragged through a jungle and gangraped, there is always physical evidence. But the footage shows otherwise.” The surveillance videos were critical in identifying discrepancies in the sequence of events described in statements.
6. Current Investigation Status
The West Bengal police are re-evaluating the involvement of the previously arrested villagers. Only the classmate is currently considered directly involved. Authorities are continuing investigations to confirm the details and ascertain the exact sequence of events, including why the survivor’s statements changed over time.
7. Background of the Case
The case initially drew nationwide attention when the medical student reported that she had been gangraped near her college campus in Durgapur, Paschim Bardhaman district, on October 10. The report triggered public outrage, leading to police action and multiple arrests.
8. Key Takeaways
- The arrest of the survivor’s classmate marks a major twist in the high-profile case.
- Security footage and contradictory statements have become central to the ongoing investigation.
- Police are focusing on a single individual, while the involvement of other suspects is being reassessed.
- The case continues to develop, and authorities have emphasized that further details will be revealed once investigations are complete.
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