IIM Calcutta student 'raped' on institute premises, 1 arrested

Kolkata, Jul 12 (PTI) A woman was allegedly raped by a student inside a hostel of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, police said on Saturday.

The accused has been arrested on the basis of an FIR lodged by the woman at Haridevpur police station, they said.

The alleged incident took place inside the boys' hostel of IIM Calcutta on Friday, a police officer said.

"The woman stated in the FIR that she was called to the hostel for a counselling session. She then became unconscious after consuming a drink laced with drugs at the hostel. The woman realised she had been raped after regaining consciousness," he said.

She also alleged that the accused had threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the matter to anyone, the officer said.

"The accused student was detained on Friday night before being formally arrested," he said.

Further investigation was underway.

The development came almost a fortnight after a student was allegedly gang-raped inside a law college in Kolkata.

Opposition Congress and CPI(M) on Saturday lashed out at the government over the incident, stating it showed "worsening" law and order situation in the state, and "lapse in security" in a central educational institute where criminals are not scared to commit brutalities on women.

Around 100 members of the Congress staged a protest before the gates of the IIM Calcutta campus, demanding an audience with the director.

Congress leader Asutosh Chatterjee said, "The security guards are stopping us from entering the campus. But where was this security for women if the allegation inside the boys' hostel of a premier institute is true? After the South Calcutta Law College gang rape of a woman student by her own college seniors and alumni on campus, now another allegation has surfaced involving a central educational institute. It puts our heads to shame." He said IIM Calcutta being a premier educational institution, the BJP government at the Centre cannot escape its responsibility if the incident is confirmed.

CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty said the allegations, if found true, are horrifying and show "increasing lawlessness" under the reign of TMC on one hand and the glaring "loopholes and lacunae" in the security at the campus of a premier central institution on the other.

Union Minister of State for Education and senior BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar told reporters there is strict security on the IIM campus and he will talk to the director about the alleged incident.

Majumdar said state police should undertake a fair and proper investigation into the alleged incident.

The state's ruling TMC said the incident should not be politicised by any party as it would be premature to comment on what exactly happened at this stage and police should be allowed to do its job (investigation).

Voicing displeasure about attempts in some quarters to link TMC with the prompt action by police in acting on a complaint by the woman, party's state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said, "His party should not be linked with every complaint, every alleged crime." "Did she tell us before filing any complaint? No. Again, her father now says something else to the media. Did he ask us? We must wait for investigations to be completed. IIM-C is a leading institute which is under the Centre. They have a security system. We should not do anything to derail proper investigation. Let the truth come out," he added.

A tight security cordon was thrown around the campus and at the main gate with every visitor being stopped and his identity verified.

IIM Calcutta, on the other hand, said that the institute has zero tolerance for such incidents and remains steadfast in upholding a safe and respectful campus environment.

The institute said that the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness and the authorities are fully cooperating with the law enforcement agencies.

IIM Calcutta Director-in-charge Saibal Chattopadhyay said in a statement that the institute is committed to ensuring that due process is followed while safeguarding the dignity, safety, and privacy of all individuals.

"We wish to affirm that the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta has zero tolerance for such incidents and remains steadfast in upholding a safe and respectful campus environment. We are also taking all necessary steps to support the process of ongoing investigation and ensure that institutional protocols are adhered to," he said in the statement.

"We urge everyone to avoid speculation or dissemination of unverified information which might lead to further confusion and hamper investigation and allow the investigative authorities to carry out their responsibilities independently and fairly. During this course of investigation, we will refrain from commenting further at this time, but will continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate action as needed, in alignment with the law and our internal policies," the statement said.

Chattopadhyay said that the administration has been made aware of a serious complaint involving one of the students while the complainant is not of the institute and the matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness.

"We are fully cooperating with the law enforcement authorities, who are currently conducting an investigation. The individual concerned has been taken into police custody and the legal process is underway," he said. PTI SUS SCH RBT RG ACD