Kolkata, October 20 (Udaipur Kiran): The Durgapur Medical College gangrape case has taken a significant turn as police have reportedly given relief to two of the six accused — Sheikh Riazuddin and Shafiq Sheikh — by sending them to judicial custody before their remand period ended, sparking questions over the move.
According to sources, all six accused were earlier remanded to police custody until October 22. However, Riazuddin and Shafiq were unexpectedly presented before a vacation bench on Sunday, without any bail application, and were subsequently sent to judicial custody.
Insiders suggest that police are preparing to make both accused prosecution witnesses in the case. It is believed that the two were taken to record their confidential statements under Section 164 of the CrPC before a magistrate, though the process could not be completed for undisclosed reasons.
A lawyer at the Durgapur Sub-Divisional Court said that investigators may not have found strong evidence against Riazuddin and Shafiq, prompting police to consider turning them into state witnesses to strengthen the case against the main accused.
Earlier, the court had directed police to produce all six accused on October 22, after granting custody for further investigation. The decision to present two of them early has raised eyebrows and fuelled speculation about the ongoing probe.
Meanwhile, the victim, a second-year student of Durgapur Medical College, has been discharged from the hospital and is currently staying within the college premises under police protection.
The incident occurred on the night of October 10, when the student stepped out of the campus’s south gate with a male classmate. Initial reports suggested a gangrape, but subsequent investigation and the survivor’s statement clarified that she was sexually assaulted by a single individual.
Police have also arrested the victim’s classmate Wasif Ali, who has been identified as the main accused and alleged mastermind behind the crime.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.