IIM-Calcutta Rape Case Takes Twist as Alleged Victim's Father Denies Incident
An alleged rape case at IIM-Calcutta has been thrown into confusion after the father of the woman who filed the FIR publicly claimed the incident never occurred. A student was arrested after the woman alleged she was drugged and sexually assaulted in a campus hostel. However, her father told reporters she was merely injured in an accident. The court has remanded the accused student to police custody while authorities investigate the conflicting accounts at the prestigious institution.
Unpacked:
The woman initially alleged she was drugged and raped by a student in a campus hostel. However, her father later claimed she was simply injured in an accident and denied any assault, suggesting the police made her file the complaint. These conflicting narratives have led to confusion and a complex investigation.
A nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed by Kolkata Police to thoroughly probe the case. Forensic teams have collected evidence from the scene, including food remains, and are reviewing CCTV footage. The accused’s clothes and phone have also been seized for examination. The investigation aims to clarify the facts amid the conflicting stories.
The West Bengal Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance, seeking a report from police within 15 days and attempting to contact the woman and her family. The National Commission for Women has also expressed interest in speaking directly with the woman to determine the truth, while voicing concerns about the nature of the allegations.
The accused is Parmanand Toppaunwar, a second-year IIM Calcutta student from Karnataka. The alleged victim is reportedly a psychologist. The complaint states the accused called her to campus for counseling and then allegedly spiked her food and assaulted her, but her father disputes this account, claiming it was an accidental injury.