In a surprising turn of events concerning the Durgapur incident, West Bengal police have arrested the 23-year-old classmate of the medical student who had initially claimed gangrape. The latest statements from the police indicate that their investigation has not found evidence of a gangrape, challenging the initial allegations and shifting the focus onto the survivor’s friend.
The case, which garnered national attention, has seen several key details emerge:
Survivor’s Classmate Arrested
Security footage reviewed by investigators shows the survivor and her friend leaving the college campus together at 7:54 PM. The friend returned alone later, left again, and then returned with the survivor at 9:29 PM. While the initial explanation was that they went out for dinner, the survivor later suggested that her friend was contacted by the alleged perpetrators. These discrepancies led to the friend’s arrest.
The friend, who is from Malda, was initially detained on October 11 and subsequently arrested as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police Emphasize Single Perpetrator Involvement
Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Sunil Kumar Choudhary stated that the friend is not entirely cleared of suspicion and that evidence points towards only one individual being involved in the incident. The involvement of other individuals previously arrested is still under review.
Previous Arrests and Charges
Prior to the classmate’s arrest, five local villagers were taken into custody. However, police clarification suggests that the investigation and medical reports indicate a primary suspect involved. The individuals arrested were initially charged under sections related to gang rape and common intention under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Conflicting Statements and Evidence
Authorities have pointed out significant inconsistencies in the statements provided by the survivor, her friend, the initial suspects, and in the medical records. The survivor’s account reportedly changed, with an initial mention to a doctor of three assailants and only one committing the crime, later contradicted by a statement to the police alleging five men gangraped her in a forest.
Security Footage Contradicts Allegations
Surveillance footage from the college appears to show the survivor returning to campus calmly and with her clothes intact, without appearing to seek immediate help. Police sources suggest this footage contradicts the narrative of a violent gangrape.
Identified Suspects
The five individuals initially named by the West Bengal police as suspects are Sheikh Safiqul, Sheikh Nasiruddin, Apu Bauri (21), Firdous Sheikh (23), and Sheikh Riazuddin (32). These individuals are from nearby villages and were part of the broader investigation. Sheikh Safiqul and Sheikh Nasiruddin were arrested earlier, while the remaining three were presented in court.