'Reignites RG Kar trauma': Doctors condemn Durgapur MBBS student gangrape, demand SC intervention, Safety reforms

Kolkata: Referring to the RG Kar tragedy, where the West Bengal government had repeatedly assured safety for medical students, several doctors' associations across the nation have condemned the alleged gangrape of a second-year MBBS student near IQ City Medical College, Durgapu, on October 10.

The doctors indicated that the safety of female students and doctors in the state continues to be ignored.

In a letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) expressed anger, saying the brutal incident has shaken the conscience of the entire medical community and reignited the collective trauma still fresh from the R.G. Kar Medical College tragedy just a year ago.

FAIMA has demanded a swift and strict investigation and trial, psychological support and protection for the survivor and her family, mandatory safety audits and secure hostels and campuses across all medical and educational institutions in West Bengal, and the creation of a dedicated grievance and protection cell for women medical students.

Also read- Doctors demand inquiry, Supreme Court intervention in Durgapur MBBS student gangrape case

"Medical students dedicate their youth and energy to serve humanity, often working under immense stress and unsafe conditions. It is therefore heartbreaking that even within the sanctuaries of learning and healing, they are not protected from such heinous acts of violence. The repeated occurrence of such crimes within the medical community reflects not only a grave lapse in law and order but also a crisis of trust and safety for every young woman pursuing education in the state," the letter reads.

While reports were published that a few arrests have been made, several accused remain at large, said the association. "The delay in justice and visible fear among students have further deepened the pain and outrage across medical institutions nationwide. What the students seek is not only punishment for the perpetrators but also accountability from the system that repeatedly fails to ensure their safety," the letter adds.

Medical Dialogues had reported that altogether five accused have been arrested and are in police custody. The second-year student of a private medical college in Durgapur, hailing from Jaleswar in Odisha's Balasore district, was allegedly gang-raped on Friday (October 10) night when she went outside the college campus with a male friend to have dinner.

According to police sources, the student had initially submitted a brief written statement of three to four lines to the college authorities, stating that she and her friend were walking outside the campus when they were suddenly surrounded by a group of men who then assaulted her.

The statement was later forwarded to the police, following which an FIR was lodged and an investigation initiated. Based on the student's complaint, the police determined that the incident occurred between 8 p.m. and 8.45 p.m. on Friday. Investigators said that three men initially surrounded the student and snatched away her phone when she tried to call her friends for help. Two more persons later joined them, and together the five men allegedly raped her.

The accused also offered her Rs 5,000 to leave quietly, police sources said. The survivor's male friend, who was accompanying her, is currently under police detention for questioning. Investigators said his movements and conduct on the night of the incident have raised suspicion. According to the survivor's father, who has also filed a separate complaint, the friend fled the scene when the accused surrounded the woman.

Following this, a political uproar erupted over the comments of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee when she suggested women should not go out at night.

In response to the alleged brutal incident, the doctors, including the West Bengal Doctors Forum (WBDF) and Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA), sought Supreme Court Chief Justice B R Gavai's intervention on the apex court-mandated directive for the formation of a National Task Force to ensure security in the medical colleges

Central MARD

Similarly, the Central Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (Central MARD) also condemned the incident and stressed the urgent need to ensure the safety and dignity of women everywhere — in educational institutions, workplaces, and public spaces.

"It is heartbreaking that such a tragedy has occurred barely a year after the rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata. Despite repeated nationwide protests and official assurances, the absence of strong preventive systems and accountability continues to cost innocent lives. While some arrests have been made, several accused remain absconding, and the survivor’s family lives in constant fear. Medical students across India are on the streets demanding justice — not only for one student but for every woman who deserves to live, learn, and work without fear, " mentioned the press release.

The association demanded a swift and transparent investigation with strict punishment for all involved, accountability of authorities responsible for security lapses, robust safety measures in all medical institutions — including secure campus access, CCTV surveillance, gender-sensitization programs, and functional Internal Complaints Committees — and nationwide reforms to ensure safe environments for all women, regardless of their profession or background.

NAFORD

Besides, the National Federation of Resident Doctors of AIIMS & INIs (NAFORD) has demanded the Supreme Court's intervention by requesting it to take immediate suo-motu cognisance of the incident to oversee a fast-tracked investigation and trial.

"The National Federation of Resident Doctors of AIIMS & INIs (NAFORD) unequivocally condemns the brutal gangrape of a second-year MBBS student near IQ City Medical College, Durgapur, on 10th October 2025. This heinous assault is a chilling indictment of the failed safety environment for our nation’s medical students. This attack is a horrific reminder of systemic failure, occurring just over a year after the rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College," stated the press statement.

The association further stated that despite the Supreme Court’s subsequent suo motu cognisance of the RG Kar incident and the creation of a National Task Force to establish safety guidelines, this tragedy proves that those directives have been completely ignored.

"The ongoing student protests in Durgapur signal a complete collapse of trust in the college administration and state authorities. Paper reforms and political blame games have left our future doctors perilously vulnerable, exposing a total lack of accountability," the press statement added.

NAFORD’s demands for immediate action are as follows:

• Supreme Court Intervention: Immediate suo motu cognizance by the Hon’ble Supreme Court to oversee a fast-tracked investigation and trial.
• Judicial Inquiry: An independent judicial inquiry into the negligence of state and college authorities, with strict accountability for their failures.
• Nationwide Safety Enforcement: Mandatory, nationwide enforcement of the Supreme Court-mandated safety protocols in all medical colleges, with severe penalties for non-compliance.
• Exemplary Punishment: The most stringent punishment under law for the perpetrators to serve as a powerful deterrent. Action, not just assurances, is required from the state government.

JRDA

The JIPMER Resident Doctors’ Association (JRDA) also expressed solidarity with the victim, urging the authorities to take swift and strict action against all involved in the alleged brutal incident.

"The JIPMER Resident Doctors’ Association strongly condemns the shocking incident of the alleged gangrape of a second-year medical student in Durgapur, West Bengal. Such an act is inhuman and deeply saddening. It raises serious concerns about the safety of women in general, and especially those in the medical field who dedicate their lives to selfless service. We request that the authorities take swift and strict action against all involved in the barbaric act. Along with justice, there is an urgent need for implementation of stronger safety measures for women in public places, medical colleges, and hospitals," mentioned the press release.

Also read- 2 more arrests in Durgapur MBBS student gangrape case, 5 in police custody