Suvendu reports to Union home ministry on Durgapur incident
The Statesman | 14 October 2025Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said he has “no faith” in the state police’s handling of the case and was in constant touch with the Union home ministry, to which he has sent detailed reports on the incident.
In a strongly worded post on X, Adhikari wrote: “Mamata Banerjee, why are you trying to clarify your outdated medieval diktat that ‘girls should not be allowed to go outside at night’? No one has distorted your words — the proof is annexed herewith. Your words are an attempt to mask your failure as an administrator.”
He went on to allege that victim-shaming had become “state policy” under the TMC regime, and that the government was “diverting attention from the non-existent law and order situation” in the state. “Repeated sexual offences at educational institutions — be it RG Kar, Kasba Law College, Panskura Hospital or Durgapur — expose your inability to take corrective measures,” Adhikari said, tagging the National Commission for Women (NCW) in his post. On Monday, Adhikari visited the family of the survivor, who hails from Odisha, and met reporters afterward. “We could not ensure safety for a young woman who came from Odisha to study here. We are ashamed and apologetic,” he said, adding that the survivor’s condition had improved and that she was now able to eat and communicate. Adhikari questioned why chief minister Mamata Banerjee had neither visited nor called the survivor’s family, while Odisha chief minister Mohan Majhi had personally spoken to them and assured all possible assistance for the student’s future.
“The family told me they paid Rs 80 lakh for her admission and now they do not want her to continue studying in Durgapur. They are deeply worried about her future,” he said. Adhikari also expressed frustration over being denied permission to meet the doctors treating the survivor. “If I cannot speak to the doctors, will the NCW delegation be allowed to meet her?” he asked, adding that the investigation appeared selective as “the main accused remains at large” even though four arrests have been made so far.
The NCW team is expected to visit Durgapur later today to assess the situation.
