Odisha MBBS Student Allegedly Raped in Durgapur; Medical College Safety Under Scrutiny

Kolkata, October 11, 2025 — A second-year MBBS student from Odisha was allegedly gang-raped near her private medical college in Durgapur, West Bengal, on the night of October 10, 2025.

The survivor, a resident of Jaleswar, had stepped outside the campus with a friend to grab food when a group of men reportedly intercepted them. Her friend managed to escape, but the assailants allegedly dragged the student into a nearby forest and assaulted her.

The perpetrators also took her mobile phone. She is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.

The assault occurred late at night when the student left the campus for a short errand. Local authorities were alerted immediately, and the victim’s family contacted the police.

The survivor’s father revealed that he learned of the incident from his daughter’s friend and expressed outrage over the lack of campus security. He stated that his daughter had gone out after a call from her boyfriend, Wasif Ali.

When she reached the campus gate, four to five men were present; one assaulted her while others were reportedly involved. Her father emphasized the need for justice and stricter safety measures to prevent similar attacks in the future.

The swift reporting of the crime has allowed the police to launch an investigation and gather initial evidence.

The Durgapur incident has drawn comparisons to the 2024 RG Kar Medical College case, where a 26-year-old postgraduate trainee was raped and murdered inside hospital premises.

That case sparked nationwide protests, highlighting vulnerabilities faced by female medical students and healthcare professionals.

The brutality of the injuries in the RG Kar case caused public outrage and intensified demands for workplace safety reforms.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has not yet commented on the Durgapur assault.

The ruling Trinamool Congress government has faced criticism over a string of crimes against women in the state, including a July incident in which a law student was allegedly gang-raped inside South Calcutta Law College in Kasba.

The government continues to be urged to strengthen campus security and enforce protective measures for students.

The alarming rise in sexual assault cases within medical colleges across India has cast a shadow over the safety of students pursuing their education in these institutions. In recent months, several incidents have come to light, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by medical students.

Last month, an 18-year-old MBBS student in Delhi accused a fellow medical student of drugging and raping her at a hotel in the Adarsh Nagar area. The accused allegedly filmed the assault and threatened to make the footage public.

(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)