Odisha MBBS student gangrape in Durgapur: Fifth accused arrested, protests outside IQ Hospital continue demanding justice

In a significant breakthrough in the alleged gangrape of an MBBS student from Odisha, Durgapur police on Monday apprehended the fifth accused in the case, identified as Saifin Ul. This latest arrest brings the total number of individuals taken into custody to five. 

Earlier, police had arrested three suspects within 36 hours of the crime, followed by the fourth accused, who was nabbed on Sunday.

The arrested persons, identified as Apo Bauri, Firdos Sheikh, Nasiruddin, Rezaul Sheikh, Sheikh Nasiruddin, and now Saifin Ul, are now in 10-day police remand, with interrogations underway to determine their roles and any additional accomplices.

Reports added that authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, including deploying drones to survey the forested area where the crime took place, which is located behind the hospital building near Shobhapur. Due to the isolated terrain, police had to access the spot on foot.

Incident Details And Survivor Account

Preliminary findings indicate that the survivor had left the campus with a male friend to buy food when four to five men began following them. The perpetrators allegedly separated the girl from her companion, forcibly dragged her into a secluded area, and committed the assault before fleeing.

The location, being relatively remote and forested, posed significant challenges for law enforcement. Police vehicles could not reach the site, delaying initial on-scene investigations.

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Protests And Parents’ Outcry

The incident triggered immediate unrest outside Durgapur IQ Hospital, where the survivor was admitted for treatment.

Parents of other students staged protests demanding strict security measures and an urgent meeting with the college principal to ensure the safety of their children. Sources reported heightened tensions and vocal demands for justice from the students’ guardians.

Responding to the public outcry, a team from the Odisha State Women’s Commission, led by Chairperson Shobhana Mohanty, visited Durgapur to oversee the investigation and assess the support being provided to the survivor. The Commission met with police officials and hospital authorities to monitor the progress of the case.

Durgapur Police Commissioner confirmed that extensive interrogations are ongoing, with officers piecing together the sequence of events and tracking any potential additional suspects.