Durgapur Gang-Rape Investigation Reveals Discrepancies in Statements as Police Seek Missing Links

The police are still working to identify inconsistencies in the Durgapur gang-rape investigation.

Kolkata:

After six days of questioning, police investigators have identified several discrepancies in the statements provided by the Durgapur gang-rape victim's male companion and the five youths arrested from the nearby village.

Officials stated that they are attempting to discover crucial missing connections in this gang-rape case.

The investigation has revealed that the medical student was romantically involved with her classmate who was with her that night. The pair had left the private medical college and hospital campus in Durgapur on the evening of the incident.

Initially, reports indicated they had ventured out to purchase dinner. However, further investigation uncovered that three of the five arrested individuals discovered the couple in a compromising position in a forested area outside the campus.

When the accused demanded payment from the couple, they permitted the male friend to depart to retrieve money. During this interval, one of the accused sexually assaulted the medical student while two others observed. Subsequently, two additional youths arrived at the crime scene. The medical student's mobile phone was taken. The male friend returned with money, after which the pair was allowed to leave, according to police sources.

Investigators report that from the beginning, the medical student's male friend Wasif Ali provided misleading information to the police, causing confusion during the investigation process. Authorities are now comparing statements from the victim, her male companion, and the five village youths, though numerous inconsistencies remain in their accounts.

All arrested individuals will appear in court on Wednesday as their police custody period ends. Law enforcement has indicated they will request an extension of custody to continue interrogation and further investigate the matter.

The medical student was discharged from the hospital last Friday. She is currently residing in a rented accommodation in Durgapur under police surveillance rather than in the college hostel. The student's mother is staying with her, and police officers have been stationed outside the residence for protection.

On October 10, the second-year medical student from Odisha was allegedly gang-raped by five individuals in a forested area near a private medical college and hospital in West Burdwan district's Durgapur. Following the victim's complaint, police arrested all five accused persons. Authorities stated that only one person physically committed sexual assault against the medical student.

Subsequently, police arrested the victim's male companion after discovering inconsistencies in his responses during questioning. He remains in police custody.

Meanwhile, the victim's father has requested a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the incident to ensure swift justice for the perpetrators.