West Bengal – A dramatic Durgapur case twist has emerged as West Bengal police arrested a 23-year-old classmate of the medical student who alleged gangrape near her college campus on October 10. Authorities stated that no gangrape had taken place, contradicting the survivor’s earlier claims and transforming the investigation that has captured national attention.
Arrest of Survivor’s Classmate
The major Durgapur case twist came with the Tuesday evening arrest of the survivor’s friend, whose name has not been revealed to protect the woman’s identity. Security footage proved crucial in this development, showing the survivor and her classmate leaving campus at 7:54 pm on the night of the alleged incident.
According to the surveillance evidence that led to the Durgapur case twist, the male friend returned alone at 8:42 pm, left again at 8:48 pm, and came back with the survivor at 9:29 pm. This timeline raised significant questions about the initial narrative.
Both individuals initially claimed they went out for dinner together. However, the survivor later told police that the suspects called her friend after the alleged gangrape, creating contradictions that prompted investigators to focus on the classmate.
The friend, a resident of Malda district, had already been detained on October 11—just one day after the alleged incident—as part of the ongoing investigation before being formally arrested as the Durgapur case twist unfolded.
Police Statement on Sole Involvement
Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Sunil Kumar Choudhary addressed the Durgapur case twist, stating that the arrested classmate “is not above suspicion” and that only one person appears to have been involved in the incident. This assertion fundamentally changed the nature of the investigation.
Choudhary added that the roles of others previously arrested remain under review, indicating that the investigation continues despite the major Durgapur case twist challenging the gangrape allegations.
Earlier Arrests and Legal Charges
Before the Durgapur case twist emerged with the classmate’s arrest, five local villagers had been taken into custody. However, police clarified that investigation findings and medical reports now point to a single suspect as primarily involved in the case.
The earlier arrested individuals have been charged under sections 70(1) (gang rape) and 3(5) (crime committed with common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to the remand petition. The Durgapur case twist raises questions about whether these charges will be modified based on new evidence.
Contradictions in Statements
Authorities highlighted significant inconsistencies in various accounts, contributing to the Durgapur case twist. These contradictions complicated the investigation and raised fundamental questions about what actually occurred on October 10.
Initially, the survivor told a doctor that three people were present at the scene but only one had committed the crime. However, she later told police that five men had dragged her into a forest and gangraped her, creating substantial discrepancies between her statements.
These contradictory accounts formed the basis of the Durgapur case twist, prompting investigators to re-examine all evidence and testimony collected during the investigation.
Evidence from Security Footage
College surveillance footage played a pivotal role in the Durgapur case twist, contradicting several statements provided by those involved. The video evidence shows the survivor returning to campus “calmly,” with her clothes intact, and notably without seeking help from security personnel present at the entrance.
“When a woman is dragged through a jungle and gangraped, there is always evidence. But the footage shows otherwise,” a senior police officer stated, explaining the rationale behind the Durgapur case twist and the revised investigation direction.
This video evidence proved crucial in leading authorities to question the initial narrative and ultimately arrest the survivor’s classmate rather than pursuing the gangrape theory.
Previously Named Suspects
Before the Durgapur case twist emerged, West Bengal police had named five suspects from nearby villages: Sheikh Safiqul, Sheikh Nasiruddin, Apu Bauri (21), Firdous Sheikh (23), and Sheikh Riazuddin (32). These individuals were initially part of the wider investigation into the alleged gangrape.
Sheikh Safiqul was arrested on October 13, while Sheikh Nasiruddin was taken into custody late Sunday. The remaining three—Apu Bauri, Firdous Sheikh, and Sheikh Riazuddin—were sent to police custody by the court on Sunday.
The status of these five individuals remains uncertain following the Durgapur case twist, as police review their roles in light of the assertion that only one person was involved in the incident.
Medical Reports and Investigation
Medical examination reports have become central to the Durgapur case twist, with authorities stating that these documents support the conclusion that no gangrape occurred. The medical evidence apparently contradicts the survivor’s later statements to police about being dragged into a forest and assaulted by multiple perpetrators.
Implications and Ongoing Investigation
The Durgapur case twist has transformed an investigation that had already sparked political controversy and debates about women’s safety in West Bengal. The arrest of the survivor’s classmate and the police assertion that no gangrape occurred raise complex questions about the incident.
Authorities continue investigating to establish definitively what transpired on October 10, with the classmate now the primary focus. The Durgapur case twist demonstrates how surveillance technology and forensic evidence can fundamentally alter the direction of high-profile criminal investigations.
As the investigation proceeds, questions remain about reconciling the contradictory statements, determining what actually happened that evening, and ensuring justice is served based on facts rather than initial allegations.
