Odisha medical student gang rape in WB’s Durgapur: TI parade of accused to be conducted today

In a latest development in the alleged gang-rape of a medical student from Odisha in West Bengal's Durgapur area, the Test Identification (TI) Parade of six accused is scheduled to be conducted on Friday, marking a critical step in the ongoing investigation. 

According to sources, the accused were produced before the Durgapur Court on Wednesday after completing their police remand periods, which ranged from seven to ten days. The Court rejected their bail pleas and sent all six to judicial custody until October 27, with their next hearing scheduled for the same date.

The survivor’s lawyer, Amit Kumar, alleged that the male friend, Saif Wasif Ali, is the mastermind behind the rape incident. 

Both the prosecution and defence presented their points in Court. The public prosecutor also requested an expert opinion to allow the presentation of WhatsApp chats as evidence, Kumar informed. 

Earlier, three accused were produced before the court on October 12 and were remanded to police custody for ten days. Two more accused were brought in on October 13 and sent on a nine-day remand, while the sixth suspect appeared before the court on October 15 and was placed under seven days of police custody.

The sixth accused, reportedly a friend of the survivor, is currently under police investigation for his alleged involvement in the crime.

Earlier, National Commission for Women (NCW) member Archana Majumdar criticised the West Bengal police for delaying the investigation. She said she met the survivor at the hospital shortly after the incident, finding her physically stable but psychologically and emotionally distressed. Majumdar also raised concerns about delays in the release of the medical report and possible political connections of some accused.

According to the survivor’s father, the student was lured under the pretext of getting something to eat, after which she was allegedly assaulted by two or three other men while her classmate fled.

Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Sunil Kumar Choudhary confirmed that six accused have been arrested, their presence at the crime scene established, and a round-the-clock guard deployed at the survivor’s residence.

Also Read: West Bengal Police Rule Out Gangrape In Durgapur Medical Student Assault Case

The medical report has been handed over to the survivor, who was discharged from the hospital on October 17 after her physical and mental well-being were certified by a multispecialty medical board.

The TI Parade today is expected to further strengthen the investigation and help identify the accused before the judicial process continues.

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