Firdous Sheikh Named Primary Suspect in Durgapur Medical Student Gang Rape Case

Firdous Sheikh has been identified as the primary suspect in the Durgapur gang rape case.

In the Durgapur gang rape case involving a second-year medical student from West Bengal, Firdous Sheikh has been named as the main accused, while five others have been identified as co-accused.

Among the five co-accused are the survivor's boyfriend and classmate. According to the survivor's legal representative Partha Ghosh, the classmate is believed to be the "main conspirator or mastermind" behind the gang rape incident.

Details regarding the accused individuals were disclosed as part of the Test Identification (TI) parade report presented at the Durgapur Sub-divisional Court on Monday.

The medical student from Odisha was allegedly gang raped on October 10 in a forested area outside a private medical college and hospital.

Following the conclusion of their five-day judicial custody period, all six accused appeared virtually in the Durgapur Sub-divisional Court from the correctional facility. During the virtual hearing, no legal representation was present for the accused, and they personally requested bail from the judge.

Ghosh reported that the judge emphasized the importance of promptly submitting the charge sheet and expediting the trial process. "If the police submit the charge sheet before the next hearing on October 31, the trial process will begin very quickly. Before that, a copy of the charge sheet will be given to all parties involved in the case. Then, the trial phase will begin after framing the charges," the lawyer stated.

The judge denied the bail applications of all accused individuals and extended their judicial custody until October 31.