Durgapur Gang-Rape Case: Accused Seek to Confess Role, Trial May Have New Development

Strategic Insights -

Police officers involved in the probe said if the court accepts the plea, the two may be treated as approvers during the trial. The complainant, a 23-year-old MBBS student at a private medical college in Durgapur, was allegedly gangraped shortly after she had stepped out of the campus with a classmate on Oct 10 evening for dinner.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two accused, Sk Riyazuddin and Sk Safiq, have moved a plea before a local court for permission to confess their role in the Oct 10 gang-rape incident.
  • If the court accepts the plea, the two may be treated as approvers during the trial.
  • The accused are in custody along with four other men, including the classmate, Wasef Ali, who allegedly molested the survivor.
  • The maximum punishment for gang rape is 20 years in jail, and for extortion, seven years in jail.
  • The survivor has mentioned in the complaint that classmate Wasef Ali molested her and fled when she was struggling to fight off the attackers.
  • A lawyer representing the survivor has filed an appeal for a test identification parade to be done quickly.
  • The accused worked at a local factory (Safiq) and were previously employed at the medical college where the survivor studied (Riyazuddin).
  • A detailed statement from the survivor revealed that the attackers demanded Rs 3,000 and took Rs 200 and a cellphone.

Statistics:

  • 6 people are in custody in connection with the Durgapur gang-rape case (2 accused and 4 other men).
  • The maximum punishment for gang rape is 20 years in jail.
  • The maximum punishment for extortion is 7 years in jail.
  • The attackers demanded Rs 3,000 from the survivor.

Sources:

  • The Times of India: "2 accused in Durgapur gang-rape case seek to confess role, court to pass order on Oct 21"
  • The Indian Express: "Durgapur gangrape: Classmate one of 5 arrested, 2 others in custody sought confession"