A Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of nine members has been formed to investigate a rape allegation at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta. This development follows the arrest of a second-year IIM-Calcutta student, Mahaveer Toppannavar alias Parmanand Jain, in connection with the alleged incident. The accused has been sent to police custody until July 19.
The alleged victim, a 24-year-old psychologist, stated that she connected with the accused through social media and was invited to the IIM-C campus for a counseling session. According to her complaint, the accused allegedly drugged her with spiked pizza and water in the hostel room. She claimed she lost consciousness and, upon regaining it, realized she had been sexually assaulted. The woman also alleged that the accused threatened her with serious consequences if she spoke about the incident. She then filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Haridevpur police station. Medical tests conducted on the woman confirmed sexual assault, according to public prosecutor Sourin Ghosal. The doctor documented that she was subjected to sexual assault, and she narrated the entire incident.
However, a twist emerged when the woman's father denied the rape allegations, stating that his daughter was injured after falling from an auto-rickshaw. He claimed his daughter told him that no sexual assault occurred. He also stated that his daughter had no connection with the accused. When questioned about the arrest of the IIM-C student, the father added, "I don't know anymore". Asked what the family wants now, he replied, "What else can we ask for? We got our daughter back. My daughter is normal".
The accused's mother has also defended her son, claiming his innocence and stating that he could never do such a "dirty thing". She said the family received a call from his friend informing them about the detention and that they have no clue why their son has been arrested.
IIM-Calcutta has released a statement asserting its "zero tolerance for such incidents" and affirming its commitment to a safe and respectful campus environment. The institute stated that it is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness and is fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies.
The incident has sparked political reactions in West Bengal. The opposition has criticized the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), claiming the incident reflects a "worsening" law and order situation in the state. The TMC has responded that the IIM-C rape case should not be "politicized" and that the police should be allowed to conduct their investigation. Union minister and West Bengal BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar called for a fair probe into the alleged incident and said he would take up the matter with the IIM-C director.
The police are continuing their investigation, with the accused remanded to police custody until July 19. The nine-member SIT will be responsible for further inquiries into the conflicting claims and gathering additional evidence. This case comes weeks after another serious allegation of sexual assault at South Calcutta Law College, where a student was allegedly gang-raped on campus.
