KOLKATA: Police officials arrested a friend of the medical student allegedly raped in Durgapur, West Bengal. The apprehension occurred on Tuesday evening. This development brings the total number of arrests in the case to six. A senior police officer confirmed the details of the latest detention. The investigation into the incident remains active.
Investigation Progress and Latest Arrest
The individual taken into custody is a male friend of the victim. He is a resident of Malda district. Law enforcement personnel questioned the friend. Investigators found his replies during questioning to be inconsistent. His statements were described as incoherent by police officials. These inconsistencies prompted his arrest. Police gathered important evidence through surveillance footage. The CCTV recordings provided key insights into the movements before the alleged crime.
Footage from security cameras captured the victim and her friend. They were seen exiting the campus of the private medical college. This departure took place around 7:58 pm on the specific evening of the alleged incident. Subsequent footage revealed the friend returning to the campus alone. His solitary return occurred at approximately 8:42 pm . Following this solo return, the same individual was then observed leaving the campus once more. The surveillance records later showed both the victim and her college-mate. They were documented re-entering the college campus together. This joint re-entry was timed at about 9:29 pm .
Victim’s Father’s Allegations
The father of the medical student had previously raised concerns about his daughter’s friend. He publicly stated his suspicions regarding the friend’s potential involvement. The father alleged the friend “could have some vital role” in the commission of the crime. He conveyed a strong belief in the friend’s culpability. “I am sure that her friend definitely has some kind of involvement in the crime,” the father stated. He provided further rationale for his belief. The father highlighted the fact that the friend “accompanied my daughter out of the college.” He expressed his conviction that the incident might have been premeditated. “I think this could be pre-planned, or else this could not have happened,” he added. These allegations became a focus point for investigators.
Case Background and Prior Arrests
The alleged rape involved a second-year medical student. She originates from Jaleswar, located in Odisha. The incident reportedly took place outside the campus perimeter. It occurred at a private medical college situated in Durgapur. The date of the alleged crime was October 10 . Before the latest apprehension, police had already made five arrests. These five individuals were detained earlier in connection with the case. The recent arrest of the victim’s friend now brings the total number of accused individuals to six. Police continue to gather evidence and conduct further inquiries. The investigation aims to establish all facts surrounding the alleged sexual assault.