The West Bengal Police on Monday arrested two more individuals in connection with the alleged gang rape of a medical student in Durgapur, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to five, a senior officer confirmed. The 23-year-old woman, who hails from Jaleswar in Odisha's Balasore district, was allegedly gang-raped on Friday night when she left the private medical college with a friend to get dinner.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhisekh Gupta of the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate told the media: "Two more arrests have been made. With these, all five accused have been taken into custody based on the complaint filed by the woman." Three persons had previously been arrested on Sunday for their alleged involvement.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incident as "shocking" and affirmed her government's "zero tolerance" for such crimes. However, her subsequent remark urging women not to venture out alone late at night drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and women's rights groups, who accused her of victim-blaming.
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that at least one of the arrested suspects is a Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker. Reacting to the claim, TMC spokesperson Debanshu Bhattacharya countered: "Even if he is a party worker, it must be appreciated that the TMC has zero tolerance for crimes. Had this incident occurred in a BJP-ruled state, the accused would have been garlanded instead."
The incident has also provoked strong reactions in neighbouring Odisha, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urging his West Bengal counterpart to ensure the strictest possible punishment for the perpetrators. The Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW) chairperson, Sovana Mohanty, is due to arrive in West Bengal during the day to speak to the survivor, check on her health, meet her parents, and hold discussions with the local police.
Also read: BJP begins six-day dharna in Durgapur over student's gang-rape
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