Reclaim the Night Again: Civil Society Calls for Justice After Durgapur Rape Case

As outrage over the alleged gangrape of a 23-year-old medical student in Durgapur spreads, civil society groups across West Bengal have announced renewed protests demanding justice and accountability. The “Reclaim the Night Again” campaign — spearheaded by Abhaya Manch, a collective that emerged after the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case — is set to hold a massive protest on October 14 at 8 PM near Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand in Kolkata.

The group’s Women-Trans-Queer United wing has mobilised support from hundreds of participants, including students, writers, and activists, asserting that women and marginalized communities must reclaim public spaces and challenge the culture of silence and impunity surrounding gender-based violence.

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Voices of Protest and Resistance

Activist and writer Satabdi Das, spokesperson for Abhaya Manch, stated that the protest is a continuation of their earlier movement following the RG Kar tragedy in August.

“We took to the streets then demanding justice for our brutalised sister from RG Kar. But nothing has changed. Predators still prey on women — even inside medical college campuses. The administration is caught napping. We must reclaim our space again,” Das said.

She added that the protest symbolises more than anger — it represents resilience against systemic apathy and patriarchal control.

“We must reclaim the night until women, trans, and queer communities can feel free and secure to move anytime, anywhere,” she emphasised.

Das also criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks advising women not to go out at night, calling them “patriarchal and regressive.”

“Why should women be told to stay indoors? Why can’t the police ensure safety on the streets?” she asked.

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The Durgapur Case: A Timeline of Horror

The case involves a 23-year-old MBBS student, a native of Odisha, who was allegedly gangraped by three men near her medical college campus in Durgapur on the night of October 10, 2025.

According to the complaint, the survivor was returning from dinner with a friend when she was accosted by a group of men near Shobhapur, about 170 km from Kolkata. The accused reportedly snatched her phone, dragged her into a wooded area, and sexually assaulted her, later demanding money in exchange for her belongings.

The West Bengal Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the crime:

• Apu Bauri (21)

• Firdous Sheikh (23)

• Sheikh Riazuddin (32)

• Sheikh Nasiruddin

• Sheikh Safiqul (the fifth suspect, arrested on October 13)

All five have been charged under Sections 70(1) (gang rape) and 3(5) (common intention in crime) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The accused were produced before a Durgapur court and remanded in police custody for 10 days. Police sources said the arrests were made based on phone call records and circumstantial evidence, as the survivor’s initial complaint did not name any suspects.

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Conflicting Statements and Investigation Challenges

Investigators have reported discrepancies in the statements of the survivor, her friend, and the arrested individuals. While officials maintain that the investigation is ongoing, they admitted that corroborating medical and digital evidence remains a challenge.

“So far, we’ve found no evidence of prior criminal records for any of the accused. But contradictions in witness and medical statements mean we must proceed cautiously,” a senior police officer told reporters.

The Durgapur Police Commissionerate has formed a special team to expedite forensic testing and review surveillance footage from the area.

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Political and Public Reactions

The case has reignited public anger and political debate in Bengal. The West Bengal Junior Doctors Front, which previously led demonstrations after the RG Kar incident, staged fresh protests across Paschim Bardhaman district, demanding stricter action and safety measures for medical students.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also launched an indefinite sit-in protest outside Durgapur City Centre since October 11, accusing the state government of negligence and failure to ensure women’s safety.

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Reclaiming the Night: A Continuing Struggle

For activists, the Durgapur incident represents a grim pattern — repeated crimes against women despite widespread outrage, judicial interventions, and promises of reform.

“It’s not just about one case; it’s about a state of fear and silence,” said Das. “From RG Kar to Durgapur, women are still unsafe in the spaces they study, work, and live in. We will reclaim these streets until the system listens.”

The “Reclaim the Night Again” movement seeks to transform grief into action, urging citizens to hold institutions accountable — from law enforcement to universities — and dismantle the culture of victim-blaming.

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The Road Ahead

The Durgapur case underlines the urgent need for structural change — not only stronger policing but also reforms in campus safety, gender sensitisation, and survivor support systems. Activists have demanded the creation of 24/7 women’s helplines, safe transit zones near educational institutions, and independent monitoring of sexual violence investigations.

As India approaches another cycle of public outrage and administrative promises, one message remains clear: safety cannot be seasonal. The right to walk freely — day or night — is not a privilege. It is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.

Until that right is realised, women, trans, and queer citizens vow to keep reclaiming the night — again and again.

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