Durgapur Gang-Rape Case: A shocking turn of events has unfolded in the Durgapur gang-rape case, where two of the accused have filed pleas in court expressing their willingness to confess to the crime, while the survivor has made fresh revelations implicating her classmate. The 23-year-old MBBS student from a private medical college in Durgapur, Paschim Bardhaman district, has stated that her classmate molested her before fleeing, leaving her at the mercy of a group of men who allegedly assaulted her on the night of October 10, 2025.
The case, which began as a disturbing incident of gang rape, extortion, and assault, has now evolved into a complex web of contradictory statements, political uproar, and legal developments. With multiple arrests, confession pleas, and institutional scrutiny, the Durgapur gang-rape case has become one of the most closely followed investigations in West Bengal this year.
Durgapur Gang-Rape Case: The Night of the Incident
According to the complaint lodged by the survivor, she and her classmate — both students of a well-known private medical college — had gone out for a walk around 8:30 PM on October 10 near Mohun Bagan Avenue in Durgapur. She reported that while they were walking, three men on a motorcycle began following them. The survivor claimed that the bikers stopped near them, dragged her to a secluded area, and sexually assaulted her while threatening to bring others to repeat the assault if she screamed.
As per her account, two additional men arrived later, joining the first group. They allegedly demanded ₹3,000, snatched her mobile phone, and coerced her into calling her classmate for help. However, when she reached out to him, he allegedly refused to return to the scene.
Following the attack, she approached the Durgapur Police Station the next morning and filed a detailed First Information Report (FIR) under Sections 376D (gang rape), 392 (robbery), 506 (criminal intimidation), and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Read official IMD weather advisory for Durgapur region
Investigation and Arrests
Within 24 hours of the FIR being filed, the West Bengal Police arrested five individuals allegedly linked to the assault. Later, the survivor’s classmate — initially treated as a witness — was also arrested based on her supplementary statement.
Among those arrested were Sk Riyazuddin and Sk Safiq, who recently filed pleas before the Asansol court expressing their desire to confess to their roles in the attack. Legal experts suggest that the court will verify whether the confessions are voluntary and uninfluenced, as per Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), before recording them officially.
Investigators have recovered the survivor’s stolen mobile phone and are examining CCTV footage, mobile call records, and forensic evidence to corroborate her claims. According to police sources, the medical examination conducted soon after the complaint confirmed signs of physical assault and sexual trauma.
Visit official West Bengal Police site
Survivor’s Changing Testimony
The case took an unexpected turn when the survivor gave a revised statement before the magistrate. In this, she said her classmate — the person she trusted — “molested me and fled”, leaving her vulnerable to the attackers.
Earlier, her statement had mentioned that five men gang-raped her. The change in narrative has led to speculation about whether the classmate was an accomplice or an opportunistic participant. Police have maintained that her trauma and psychological condition could explain the inconsistencies, and no version will be dismissed until the investigation concludes.
The survivor’s father, however, filed a separate complaint alleging that the classmate played a direct role in both the assault and the robbery, urging police to treat him as a prime accused.
More updates from The Times of India
Court Proceedings and Confession Pleas
The Asansol court has taken note of the two accused who volunteered to confess. If the court deems their statements genuine and free from coercion, these confessions could accelerate the trial. However, defense lawyers have raised concerns that the men may have been pressured to confess under duress.
Legal observers note that confessions in high-profile sexual assault cases are rare and legally delicate, as the court must ensure the rights of both the accused and the survivor. The court is also considering a fast-track trial, given the seriousness of the crime and the public pressure for swift justice.
Forensic teams are continuing to collect digital evidence, including geo-location data, text messages, and voice recordings, to determine the classmate’s exact movements during and after the assault.
Read about the Indian Penal Code – Section 376D
Political Fallout and Public Protests
The incident has triggered a political storm in West Bengal. Opposition leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP, have accused the ruling government of neglecting women’s safety. The survivor’s father even joined a public rally demanding capital punishment for the accused.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, on the other hand, has directed the police to complete the investigation swiftly and maintain transparency. Senior officials have stated that the Durgapur Commissionerate is treating the case as a top priority.
Women’s rights groups and student organizations in Durgapur and Kolkata have also demanded enhanced campus security, better lighting in public areas, and active anti-harassment cells in educational institutions.
Check National Crime Records Bureau data
Campus Accountability and Institutional Response
The private medical college where the survivor studied has been criticized for its lack of immediate response. While the administration has provided counselling to students and cooperated with the investigation, activists argue that the college should have had escort services or curfew policies to ensure female students’ safety at night.
The institution is now reportedly reviewing its security policies, including installation of more CCTV cameras, emergency helpline numbers, and female-student safety protocols.
See Ministry of Women and Child Development guidelines
Psychological and Social Dimensions
Beyond the legal battle, the survivor faces the difficult task of rebuilding her life. Trauma experts stress that survivors of sexual assault need long-term psychological support, medical care, and assurance of privacy.
Social workers in Durgapur are helping facilitate therapy and are urging the college to allow her to continue her studies without fear of social stigma.
“Her courage to file a complaint against her peers is commendable. Society must ensure she is not re-victimised,” said a member of a local women’s advocacy group.
Access helpline: National Women’s Helpline 181
Key Legal and Ethical Questions
The Durgapur case has reignited debates over criminal procedure, media ethics, and victim protection. Legal experts highlight five major challenges in this case:
- Witness vs. Accused Dilemma: Whether the classmate is an accomplice or an eyewitness remains unclear.
- Voluntariness of Confession: Courts must ensure that the confession is not obtained through coercion.
- Protection of Survivor’s Identity: Media houses are bound under law to protect her identity.
- Institutional Accountability: The college’s duty of care towards its students is under scrutiny.
- Speed vs. Fairness: Public pressure for quick justice must not compromise due process.
The Road Ahead
Police have stated that a charge sheet will be filed soon once forensic reports and confessional statements are verified. If the confessions are accepted, the case may move into the trial phase before a fast-track court.
The government has promised state-sponsored legal assistance and rehabilitation support for the survivor. Meanwhile, the police continue to provide security to her family, who have expressed fears of intimidation from the accused’s associates.
Follow updates from the Calcutta High Court
Conclusion
The Durgapur gang-rape case is a grim reminder of the rising threat to women’s safety, even in educational spaces presumed to be secure. The evolving testimonies — from an initial gang-rape complaint to allegations of molestation by a classmate — expose the complex layers of trauma, trust, and betrayal that often surround such incidents.
As the legal battle intensifies, the case underscores the urgent need for institutional accountability, societal empathy, and survivor-centred justice. The nation now waits to see whether the judiciary can deliver a verdict that restores faith in the system and ensures that such tragedies do not recur.
For more updates and verified details, visit:
- National Commission for Women (NCW)
- West Bengal Police Updates
- India’s Sexual Offences Legal Framework – Ministry of Law & Justice
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