Kolkata, October 15 (Daily Kiran): In a major development in the Durgapur Medical College gangrape case, police have arrested Wasif Ali, a 23-year-old second-year student of the same college and a close friend of the victim.
According to police sources, on the night of the incident — Friday, after 9 p.m. — Wasif allegedly took the victim to a forested area nearly one kilometre away from the college campus.
He was detained early Saturday morning when he brought the injured student to the emergency ward of Durgapur Medical College. Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhishek Gupta said several of Wasif’s statements did not match the factual findings, particularly after the crime scene reconstruction conducted on Tuesday.
The victim’s father had initially named five accused in his complaint. However, on Wednesday, police confirmed a sixth arrest in the case.
Meanwhile, Asansol–Durgapur Police Commissioner Sunil Chowdhury stated at a press conference on Tuesday evening that the case “does not appear to be a gangrape,” adding that the medical report did not confirm multiple assaults. Police have also seized the clothes worn by Wasif at the time of the incident.
Earlier, the five accused were produced in court and remanded under Sections 70(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for gangrape and related offences with common intent. Investigators said all five were present at the crime scene, and the victim’s mobile phone was recovered from one of them.
Commissioner Chowdhury added that while the five primary suspects are in custody, the role of the victim’s friend remains under investigation. He is being questioned repeatedly, and some of his statements are still under verification. The police chief ruled out any possibility of handing over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Legal experts, however, cautioned that medical reports alone cannot determine whether the case qualifies as gangrape. Under Section 70 of the BNS, if one person commits rape and others aid or share a common intent, all can be held guilty of gangrape.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
