The Durgapur gang-rape case involving a second-year student of a private medical college has taken a new turn as police took all five accused to the crime scene on Tuesday and reconstructed the events of the fateful night.
The five suspects — Sheikh Nasiruddin, Sheikh Riazuddin, Sheikh Rafiq, Sheikh Appu, and Sheikh Ferdous — were taken to the forested area to recreate the sequence of events from the fateful night. The accused were asked to demonstrate their positions and reenact exactly what had happened on the night of the incident. The victim’s classmate, who was accompanying her that night, was also taken to the spot.
On Tuesday morning, investigators reached Bijara village with two of the arrested accused — Sheikh Nasiruddin and Sheikh Riazuddin. Police recovered clothes allegedly worn by the accused on the night of the incident, which occurred last Friday. These will be sent for forensic examination to gather further evidence.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family has expressed their wish to take her back home to Odisha as soon as possible. The young woman is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Durgapur. The latest medical bulletin states that her condition is stable and she is improving steadily.
In a related development, the authorities of the private medical college hospital have filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court, seeking intervention in the matter. The plea cites the ongoing exams at the college and the large gathering of people outside the campus, requesting the court’s help to ensure safety and prevent any untoward incident. The Puja vacation bench led by Justice Sampa Dutta Pal is likely to hear the matter.
The incident took place on Friday night, when the victim had gone out for dinner with a classmate around 9 PM. It is alleged that she was dragged into a nearby forest and gang-raped by five accused.
The Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate has assured that the investigation is progressing rapidly and that all culprits will be punished severely.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued an 11-point recommendation concerning the Durgapur case. The Commission has also sent formal letters to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, urging strong action and enhanced safety measures for women in the state.
Also read: BJP begins six-day dharna in Durgapur over student's gang-rape
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