The investigation into the alleged rape of a woman at a Kolkata B-school, IIM-Calcutta, has encountered a significant obstacle as the "survivor" and her father, who is an advocate, have become uncooperative with the authorities. This development has cast a shadow of doubt over the case, which initially gained traction with the arrest of a student from the institution.
According to initial reports, the 24-year-old woman, a psychologist, filed a complaint alleging that she was raped by a second-year management student, after he called her to the IIM-Calcutta campus for a counseling session. The accused was promptly arrested, and a court remanded him to police custody until July 19. Following the complaint, police formed a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident that occurred inside the boys' hostel. The SIT is led by an assistant commissioner from the South West Division.
However, the case took a surprising turn when the woman's father claimed that the reported incident did not occur. He stated that his daughter had called him around 9:40 pm on Friday, informing him that she had fallen from a vehicle, lost consciousness, and suffered injuries. He further alleged that the police had pressured his daughter into filing the complaint. "Cops told me my daughter had been abused and one person had been arrested but my daughter told me nothing of this sort had happened," he stated.
The woman's refusal to cooperate with the investigation, coupled with her father's statements, has created a major hurdle for the police. Without the complainant's testimony, it becomes exceedingly difficult to establish the veracity of the allegations and proceed with the case. The police are now faced with the challenge of gathering sufficient evidence to either substantiate or refute the claims made in the initial complaint.
Despite the lack of cooperation from the "survivor" and her family, the police are continuing their investigation. The SIT is focusing on securing digital and forensic evidence, and has already collected samples from the scene, including food remains and other items, for laboratory examination. CCTV footage from the entire campus has also been requested from the IIM authorities.
The State Women's Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and is in contact with the police. Chairperson Leena Gangopadhyay stated that the commission wants the truth to come out and is closely monitoring the developments. "If any social stigma or family pressure is preventing her family from speaking freely, that must be addressed," Gangopadhyay said.
The incident has sparked debate and concern about safety and security on educational campuses. IIM Calcutta has stated that it is treating the matter with utmost seriousness and is fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities. The institute has a zero-tolerance policy for such incidents and remains steadfast in upholding a safe and respectful campus environment.
The case remains shrouded in uncertainty, and the truth may be difficult to ascertain without the cooperation of the "survivor". The investigation is ongoing, and the police are working to gather all available evidence to determine the facts of the matter.
