Odisha Medical Student Raped on Hospital Grounds in Bengal’s Durgapur: Political Slugfest Erupts

In a shocking and disturbing development, a second-year MBBS student from Odisha was allegedly raped on the premises of a hospital in Durgapur, West Bengal’s largest industrial city. The case bears a chilling resemblance to the RG Kar Medical College incident of 2024, where a junior doctor was brutally raped and killed, sparking widespread protests across India.

According to police reports, the survivor — a native of Jaleswar, Odisha — is enrolled at a private medical college near Shobhapur in Durgapur, about 170 kilometers from Kolkata. On Friday evening, around 7:30 p.m., she and a male companion reportedly stepped out of the college campus. Soon after, a man allegedly dragged her behind the hospital building and raped her near the campus entrance.

Authorities rushed to the scene as soon as the incident was reported. The survivor was admitted for a medical examination, and an official Investigation is currently underway. Police have started questioning college staff, security personnel, and the survivor’s companion to gather evidence.

‘No Campus Security,’ Says Survivor’s Father

The survivor’s father expressed deep anguish and anger over the college’s alleged failure to ensure safety on campus. He told reporters that he learned of the assault through one of his daughter’s classmates.

“When I reached the hospital, my daughter was in a serious condition, and no one from the administration came forward to help,” he said.

He revealed that his daughter had gone out to eat phuchka (golgappas) after receiving a call from her boyfriend, identified as Wasif Ali. “There were four or five men at the university gate. One of them raped her, took her phone, and demanded ₹3,000 in return. The boy ran away, leaving her behind,” the father claimed.

He further alleged that the assault took place between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. near the college gate. “There are no proper security arrangements here. Despite such a serious crime, there has been no action or accountability from the hospital authorities,” he told ANI.

The distraught father said he had sent his daughter to study medicine with the dream of seeing her become a doctor. “I only want justice for my daughter so that no other girl has to suffer the same fate,” he said, calling for strict action against those responsible.

Police have yet to issue an official statement but confirmed that they are probing multiple angles, including possible negligence by the college administration.

Meanwhile, Odisha DGP Pinak Mishra (IPS) personally contacted the survivor’s family. Officials said a special team comprising administrative and police officers will travel to Durgapur to support the victim’s family. DIG Balasore and SP Balasore are coordinating directly with their Durgapur counterparts to ensure a fair and speedy probe.

West Bengal Government Faces Sharp Criticism

The incident has triggered massive outrage across states, with the West Bengal Doctors’ Front (WBDF) condemning the attack as another horrifying example of women’s lack of safety in medical institutions.

In a statement, the WBDF demanded that the Chief Justice of India take suo motu cognizance of the case and order a judicial inquiry. “This brutal crime is another chilling reminder that women are unsafe even on educational campuses,” the group said.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and urged his West Bengal counterpart to ensure exemplary punishment for the accused. “I have directed senior officials to stay in touch with the West Bengal government and take all necessary steps. The Odisha government will extend full support to the victim’s family,” Manjhi posted on X (formerly Twitter) in Odia.

The BJP launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, accusing it of repeated law and order failures. “Women are not safe in West Bengal. Until the TMC government is held accountable, fear will persist across the state. Mamata Banerjee must resign in 2026,” said BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya in a post on X.

Trinamool Counters Political Attacks

Responding to the criticism, Trinamool Congress minister Shashi Panja slammed the BJP for politicizing a sensitive issue. “Should politics be done over such a tragic case? The BJP should first answer for the crimes against women in their own states like Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. When the gold medal-winning wrestlers protested at Jantar Mantar, where were they then?” she asked.

Panja further said that the police have already begun their investigation and urged everyone to let the law take its course instead of using the incident for political mileage.

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, an ally of the Trinamool in the INDIA bloc, also criticized the BJP, noting that crimes against women are rising across India, including in BJP-ruled states. “What happened in West Bengal is tragic, but such crimes are not limited to one state. In Uttar Pradesh, incidents of violence against women have more than doubled in the past decade,” she said, citing NCRB data.

Crimes Against Women in Bengal Under Spotlight

The latest assault has intensified scrutiny on the Trinamool Congress government, which is already facing backlash for a series of crimes against women. In July 2025, a law student was allegedly gangraped on the South Calcutta Law College campus in Kasba, drawing public fury and protests from student organizations.

The Durgapur case also revives painful memories of the 2024 RG Kar Medical College rape and murder of a 26-year-old postgraduate student. The brutality of that attack shocked the nation, prompting weeks of demonstrations by doctors and healthcare workers demanding safer workplaces and stronger legal protections.

women’s rights activists say the recurring pattern of sexual violence on campuses across West Bengal underscores an urgent need for strict security protocols, accountability mechanisms, and legal reforms to protect female students and healthcare professionals.