3 arrested, 1 detained in Odisha medical student's gangrape in Durgapur

According to an NDTV report, the arrested accused and the detained individual are locals.

They have been identified as Apu Bauri (21), Firdos Sekh (23), Sekh Reajuddin (31), and Sheikh Sofiqul, the report said, citing officials

They will be produced before the court today, the report added.

Officials said a 23-year-old student from Jaleswar in Odisha, studying at IQ City Medical College in Durgapur’s Shivapur area, was allegedly raped after being taken to a deserted spot about a kilometre from the campus on Friday night.

The woman had gone out with a male friend when a group of men approached them near the college gate, took her away, and raped her before fleeing.

According to the survivor’s family, her friend was also complicit in the crime, alleging that he “misled and took her to a vacant place under false pretexts”.

The accused reportedly snatched her phone and stole ₹5,000, as mentioned in the complaint.

The woman is currently receiving treatment at a Durgapur hospital and is “recovering well”, officials said, according to the report.

West Bengal Minister for Women and Child Development and Trinamool Congress leader Shashi Panja stated that the student would receive psychological counselling.

What the police said

Police sources said several people, including the survivor’s male friend, are being questioned, and her statement has been recorded.

In a statement posted on X, the West Bengal Police assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible while urging people not to circulate “unverified information” about the case.

“We are deeply saddened by the sexual assault on a medical student from Odisha in Durgapur, and wish to assure all that the culprits shall not go unpunished. The pain of the victim is as much ours as it is Odisha's, and we shall leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice. The victim is recovering well, and all kinds of assistance are being provided to the family,” the police said.

They further added, “We urge everyone to refrain from sharing any unverified information in this regard. West Bengal Police remains committed to its zero tolerance policy in respect of offences against women.”

NCW member meets survivor

National Commission for Women (NCW) member Archana Majumdar visited the survivor at the hospital, where she is receiving treatment and also spoke with her.

“The friend whom the woman had gone with is under the scanner. He insisted she go with him. He took her out of the college premises. When the woman was trapped, he fled. Police need to look into this matter,” she said.

BJP slams Trinamool

BJP leader and IT cell chief Amit Malviya criticised the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government over repeated lapses in women’s safety.

“This repeated failure of law and order exposes a disturbing pattern under Mamata Banerjee's administration. The West Bengal Police must ensure a transparent and impartial investigation, unlike the RG Kar MCH case, which the Kolkata Police mishandled under instructions, so that the guilty face the harshest punishment under the law.

"West Bengal is not safe for women. Until the TMC government is held accountable, women across the state will continue to live in fear. Mamata Banerjee must go in 2026,” he said.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also condemned the crime, describing it as “highly painful” and urging Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure strong action against the accused.

“The unfortunate incident of gang rape involving an Odia student in Durgapur, West Bengal, is highly condemnable and painful. I am deeply shocked upon hearing this news.

"I strongly urge the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to take exemplary action against the accused as per the law... I have instructed senior officials to contact the West Bengal government and take necessary steps. All possible assistance will be provided to the victim's family on behalf of the Odisha government,” he wrote in a post on X.

According to the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Majhi has directed senior officials to coordinate with the West Bengal government and take all necessary measures.

West Bengal Minister and TMC leader Babul Supriyo described the incident as “shameful and tragic” and called for the “harshest punishment” for those responsible.

"It's deeply shameful and tragic that such an incident should occur anywhere. And those criminals who commit such acts should be tried in fast-track courts and receive the harshest possible punishment. We've been discussing this for several days, and our Chief Minister has also launched a campaign in support of this. It's certain that they will receive the harshest possible punishment for doing this," he said.