SHOCKER: Durgapur Gang-Rape Case Sees Three Arrests; CM Mamata Banerjee's Comment Draws Fire

Durgapur, West Bengal: In a major and swift development following the horrific gang-rape of a medical student in West Bengal's Paschim Bardhaman district, police have arrested three men suspected to be involved in the crime. The accused were presented before a subdivisional court in Durgapur on Sunday and have been remanded to 10-day police custody for further questioning and to aid in the search for any other potential suspects.

The victim, a second-year MBBS student at a private medical college in Durgapur and a native of Jaleswar, Odisha, was allegedly assaulted on Friday night. According to police reports, the student had stepped out of the campus around 8:00 PM with a friend for dinner. Her friend reportedly left her alone, at which point three unidentified men arrived, snatched her phone, and dragged her to a secluded jungle area outside the campus, where the assault took place. The attackers also allegedly demanded money for the return of her mobile phone.

Victim's Family Seeks Transfer to Odisha

The incident has caused immense trauma to the student, who is currently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital and has recorded her statement with the police. Her parents, who rushed to Durgapur, have lodged a formal complaint and have voiced their deep concern over her safety in West Bengal.

The father of the survivor has made an emotional appeal to the Chief Minister, stating that his daughter is "unable to walk and is on bedrest," and is fearful for her security. "I have requested the Chief Minister to let us take my daughter away from here to Odisha, to a safer place because here, her safety is at risk," he told reporters.

CM's Statement Sparks National Outrage

The case has ignited a political firestorm, particularly following comments made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday. While terming the incident as "shocking" and assuring that "nobody will be spared," she also controversially shifted some of the responsibility.

"How did she come out at 12.30 at night?" she questioned, also adding, "Especially, a girl child at night-time, they shouldn't be allowed to come outside. They have to protect themselves also."

This statement, which appeared to question the student's late-night movements and place partial responsibility on the victim, immediately drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and women's rights bodies like the National Commission for Women (NCW). The NCW has taken suo motu cognizance of the case and sought an action-taken report from the West Bengal police within five days

The Odisha Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, also condemned the "highly condemnable and painful" incident, urging his West Bengal counterpart to ensure swift and exemplary action against the perpetrators.

Police continue their investigation, which includes analyzing CCTV footage, forensic evidence from the site, and questioning the victim's friend. The swift arrests bring a ray of hope for justice in this deeply disturbing case that highlights renewed concerns about women's safety near educational institutions in the region.