Hours after the police in West Bengal’s Durgapur arrested three suspects in connection with the gang rape of a second-year MBBS student of a private medical college in the city last week, a senior officer said Monday they have nabbed two more people.

The police have identified the fifth suspect as Safiq, who they said is around 27 years old.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Abhishek Gupta, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, said, “All five accused who were at the spot on the day of the crime have been arrested. Three were arrested yesterday, and forwarded to court. Today, two more have been arrested, and will be forwarded to court.”

Gupta said another man who has been named in the complaint filed by the survivor’s father has not been arrested, and is being interrogated. “Since the survivor has not filed an official complaint against him, we are questioning him to verify if others were involved in the incident,” he added.

According to police sources, all five accused may be taken to the crime scene for reconstruction.

Earlier in the day, the police arrested Sheikh Nasiruddin, 24, a resident of Biraj, following a night-long interrogation after the other three suspects, who were held Sunday, named him during their questioning.

A senior police officer said Nasiruddin’s motorcycle had been used by the suspects to flee from the crime spot. The bike has also been seized.

On Sunday, the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate arrested Apu Bauri, 21, Firdous Shiekh, 23, and Shiekh Riazuddin, 32, in connection with the gangrape case.

Booked under Section 70(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to gang rape, and Section 3(5) for joint criminal liability, the three men were sent to 10-day police custody.

How police made a breakthrough

Police sources said they recovered the rape victim’s mobile phone from the three suspects arrested Sunday. They said one of the suspects called the victim from their cellphone or a companion’s phone, and that the call was traced. After tracking the mobile tower signal, the police launched a massive search operation in a forested area behind the college, leading to the arrest of the three suspects.

The police said the second-year MBBS student, who belongs to Balasore in Odisha, was allegedly dragged outside her college campus and raped Friday night. She had gone off campus with a male friend when she was sexually assaulted.

The police said the second-year MBBS student, who belongs to Balasore in Odisha, was allegedly dragged outside her college campus and raped Friday night. She had gone off campus with a male friend when she was sexually assaulted.

The victim was later rushed to the hospital, where her condition is stable, but she is traumatised, her family has said.

Speaking to The Indian Express over the phone Sunday, the victim’s father said, “My daughter is a bit stable now. I have just met her. I want justice for my daughter .”

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the case and has sought an action taken report in five days. The West Bengal Commission for Women has also taken suo motu cognisance of the case. It has also sought a report from the police within 15 days.