West Bengal: Durgapur med student raped; father alleges lack of security, BJP slams Mamata govt over law and order

The college is located in the Shobhapur area of Durgapur, 170 km from Kolkata.

The incident occurred around 8.30 pm when the student went out with a male friend. Near the campus gate, an unidentified man allegedly dragged her to a deserted area behind the hospital and raped her, reported India Today.

‘No system, no response,’ says victim’s father

The survivor’s father said his daughter had stepped out to have phuchka (golgappas) after her boyfriend, Wasif Ali, called her to meet him.

"When she reached the campus gate, around four to five persons were there. One of them raped her, took her mobile phone, and demanded Rs 3,000 to return it. The boy abandoned her and fled. They raped her," he said.

"This incident happened between 8 and 9 pm. The hostel was far away, and she had come here to eat. The security arrangements are not sufficient. Such a serious incident occurred, but no action has been taken. There is no system here, no response," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

The student’s father said he was informed about the assault by his daughter’s friend.

"When I reached there, my daughter was in a serious condition, and there was no response from the hospital administration," he alleged.

The survivor, a native of Jaleswar in Odisha, has been admitted to a hospital for medical examination.

Police begin probe

Police reached the scene soon after receiving information and launched an investigation.

They have begun questioning staff members of the college and other individuals, including the male friend who accompanied the student.

The incident, which comes just over a year after the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, has reignited fears about women’s safety in the state, particularly in Durgapur — West Bengal’s largest industrial hub.

State govt faces backlash

The West Bengal Doctors’ Front (WBDF) strongly condemned the crime, calling it a "chilling reminder" that women are unsafe even on campuses. It demanded that the Chief Justice of India take cognisance of the case and order a judicial inquiry.

BJP slams TMC govt

The opposition BJP launched a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee government over repeated law and order failures.

"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," BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya posted on X.

"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 added.

Trinamool hits back

West Bengal Minister and Trinamool leader Shashi Panja responded to the BJP’s criticism, accusing the party of politicising a sensitive issue.

"Is there any place for politics here? And if anyone makes political statements, ask them what they have to say about the crimes committed against the girls in Odisha. They set themselves on fire. Those who remain silent when something happens in Manipur, what were they doing with the gold medal-winning girls when they protested at Jantar Mantar? Tell the BJP to shut down its shop in Bengal. The police have started an investigation into the matter," Panja said.