- By Soumyaroop Mukherjee
- Mon, 13 Oct 2025 02:26 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The father of the medical student, who was gangraped in Durgapur, criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for advising the women to not step out of college campuses late at night. Banerjee kicked up a controversy as she questioned the college for allowing women students to venture out late. Her remarks, which were dubbed as “moral policing”, did not land well with the people, inviting public and political ire.
Criticising the West Bengal chief minister’s statement, the survivor’s father said, “She is also a woman. How can she say such an irresponsible thing?” The father went on to ask if “women should quit their jobs and sit at home”, as quoted by NDTV.
During a media briefing on Sunday, the Chief Minister asked how the 23-year-old was allowed to leave the campus late at night. “She was studying in a private medical college. Whose responsibility is it? How did she come out at 12.30 am? The girls should not be allowed to go outside (college) at night.”
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BJP has, however, said that the exit time recorded by the university was 8 PM, thereby contradicting the statement of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee given during the press briefing. “West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee LIED about the girl being out at 12.30 am. The truth is that, as per IQ City Medical College & Hospital, the girl went out at 8 pm, which is a decent hour by any standard," BJP IT Cell Chief, Amit Malviya wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Victim’s Condition Is Stable
The student’s father said that her daughter’s condition is currently stable. He added that he would take her daughter back to her home state, Odisha. "There is danger here. My daughter's life comes first, her career comes later."
Regarding the local police's efforts, the student's father requested that the officers ensure a strict penalty for those responsible. “Strict punishment should be imposed on the guilty so that they don't dare to repeat such a heinous act," the victim’s father added.
The student’s father also mentioned that Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi had reached out to him. "The administration is helping us to secure a seat for my daughter in an Odisha medical college," he said.
West Bengal Police Arrest Fourth Accused In Durgapur Case
The West Bengal Police arrested a fourth person in connection with the Durgapur Gangrape Case. The arrest was officially confirmed by the Asansol-Durgapur Commissionerate of Police.
People arrested in the case:
Sekh Reajuddin
Apu Bauri
Firdos Sekh
SK Nasiruddin
A three-member team of the Odisha State Commission for Women, led by chairperson Sovana Mohanty, visited Durgapur and met the survivor's family on Monday. The three-member team will submit a report to the Odisha government after inquiring about West Bengal's medical treatment and the ongoing probe in the case.
Mohanty said, quoted by ANI, "We will check on her health and meet her parents. We will submit our recommendations to the State government after inquiring about West Bengal's medical treatment, her mental health and whether a proper investigation is being conducted. It is a 3-member team. We will also inquire about fast-tracking the case and regarding another accused who has not been arrested yet."
"Odisha CM talked to the girl's father and the administration," the Odisha Women Commission chairperson added.
Senior Field Officer and Consultant for Odisha State Commission for Women, Bijiyani Singh, said that the three-member team might meet police officers investigating the case and try to ensure justice for the medical student.
(With inputs from ANI)