Durgapur Rape Case: Another Dark Chapter in Bengal’s Growing Safety Crisis
Durgapur Rape Case: Imagine wanting to pursue higher education, convincing your parents, moving to another state, and finally getting into your dream college. But within months, your dreams are shattered as life is pushed into darkness after being brutally assaulted in a forest.
This is exactly what happened to a second-year MBBS student in Durgapur, West Bengal. The young woman, who hails from Jaleswar, Odisha, was allegedly raped by a group of men outside the campus of her private medical college on the night of Friday, October 10. She had gone out for dinner with a male friend when the horrifying incident took place.
According to police, the student’s parents were informed around 9:30 p.m. by her classmates, and they reached West Bengal the next morning.
The survivor’s mother alleged that when the men found her alone, they dragged her to a nearby forest area. Two more individuals joined them, and one of them committed the crime while snatching her mobile phone. She was also threatened with death if she dared to shout for help.
What shocked many was the statement made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a press briefing on Sunday, October 12, where she appeared to blame both the college administration and the survivor for stepping out at night. Her remarks sparked widespread outrage among citizens and the opposition, who condemned her for making insensitive comments on such a grave issue.
Sudarshan Gangopadhyay, the Public Relations Officer of the college, stated that the institution cannot restrict students from leaving the campus. In response, BJP State President and Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar criticized the Chief Minister, saying, “The CM cannot possibly evade responsibility for the complete collapse of law and order. It is shocking that she has chosen to shift the blame onto others. It is her moral duty to step down without delay.”
Defending her stance, Mamata Banerjee compared the situation to incidents in Manipur and Uttar Pradesh, saying, “We have seen so many rape cases in those states. What action was taken by their governments? In our state, we file chargesheets within two to three months, and courts have even announced death sentences in several cases.”
However, this is not an isolated incident. Since 2024, West Bengal has witnessed multiple shocking cases that have drawn national attention. The first was the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case, where a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was brutally raped and killed inside the hospital campus.
In June 2025, a similar case shook Kolkata when a student of South Calcutta Law College was allegedly gang-raped inside the college guardroom on June 25. Just months later, the Durgapur rape case emerged, further highlighting the alarming state of women’s safety in Bengal.
While legal proceedings continue, the hope for justice remains dim. These incidents reflect a deeper societal disorder, a mindset that objectifies women and dismisses their right to safety. Instead of political blame games, what’s needed now is sensitivity and accountability.
Is it fair to blame the survivor for stepping outside at night? Where is the assurance of safety that parents expect when sending their daughters to study away from home? The government’s foremost duty is to ensure security and restore public confidence.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2023 data, 29,670 rape cases were reported across India, an average of 81 cases per day. Among the victims, 852 were minors, and the majority were between 18 and 30 years old, an age group that includes most college students.
Even when the accused are identified, justice takes years. Families of survivors continue to protest and cry for closure. It is time the government ensures swift and severe punishment for perpetrators, so that no one dares to cross the line between lust and the dignity of another human being.
