Rape of Medical Student on Bengal Hospital Campus Triggers Political Uproar

Medical Student Raped Inside Bengal Hospital Premises; Political Row Flares Up.

A second-year MBBS student from a private medical college in West Bengal was allegedly dragged and raped inside hospital premises in Durgapur on Friday night — an incident drawing grim parallels with the 2024 RG Kar Medical College case where a junior doctor was raped and murdered.

The survivor, a resident of Jaleswar in Odisha, is pursuing her degree at a private medical institution near Shobhapur in Durgapur, about 170 km from Kolkata.

Incident Details

According to sources, the student had stepped out of the campus around 8:30 pm with a male friend. Near the campus gate, a man allegedly dragged her to a secluded area behind the hospital and assaulted her. Police reached the spot soon after receiving information and began an investigation. The survivor has been admitted to hospital for medical examination.

Investigators are questioning college staff and others, including the male friend who was with the woman at the time of the incident.

‘No Security on Campus’

The survivor’s father, who rushed to the college after being informed by his daughter’s friend, alleged that there was “no response” from the hospital administration.

“When I reached there, my daughter was in a serious condition. The hospital didn’t respond. She had gone out to eat phuchka after being called by her boyfriend Wasif Ali. Near the gate, four or five men were there — one raped her, took her phone, and demanded money to return it. The boy abandoned her and fled,” he told reporters.

He also alleged a complete lack of security. “Such a serious incident happened, but no action was taken. There is no system, no safety. I admitted her here with the dream of making her a doctor. I just want justice so that this doesn’t happen to any other girl,” he said.

Police have not yet issued an official statement but are reportedly probing multiple angles to reconstruct the events.

Political and Professional Outrage

The West Bengal Doctors’ Front (WBDF) strongly condemned the incident, calling it a “chilling reminder” of women’s vulnerability on campuses. The group urged the Chief Justice of India to take cognisance and order a judicial inquiry.

The BJP launched a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee government, alleging repeated failure of law and order.

“This pattern of lawlessness under Mamata Banerjee is disturbing. The police must ensure an impartial probe, unlike the RG Kar case,” BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya said on X, adding, “West Bengal is not safe for women. Until the TMC government is held accountable, women will continue to live in fear.”

Trinamool’s Response

Trinamool Congress leader and minister Shashi Panja rebuked the BJP for politicising the matter. “Is there any place for politics here? Those who remain silent about crimes in Odisha and Manipur should not sermonize Bengal. The police have already started an investigation,” she said.

Pattern of Crimes Against Women

The incident adds to growing public anger over crimes against women in the state. In July, a law student was allegedly gangraped inside South Calcutta Law College, sparking protests. Nearly a year earlier, the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee at RG Kar Medical College had triggered nationwide outrage among healthcare workers, demanding stronger workplace safety measures for women.