Durgapur, Oct 14: In a significant development in the Durgapur gangrape case, the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate arrested the victim’s friend, marking the sixth arrest in the ongoing investigation, police said on Tuesday.

The victim, a second-year medical student from Jaleswar in Odisha’s Balasore district, was allegedly assaulted near a private medical college in Durgapur on Friday night.

The arrest of the friend, who is reportedly a classmate of the victim, has added a new layer of complexity to the case. According to police sources, discrepancies in the initial statements and further interrogation led to his detention. The arrest follows mounting public and political pressure for swift justice and transparency in the investigation.

Earlier, five individuals were arrested in connection with the case. The police now said that only one of the accused may have committed the actual sexual assault, while others were involved in varying degrees.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage across West Bengal and Odisha, with demands for enhanced safety measures for women and accountability from authorities.

Also Read: Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi Visits Durgapur Gangrape Victim In Hospital

Earlier in the day, former Union Minister and Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi visited the victim in hospital, expressing solidarity and criticizing the initial denial of entry by hospital security.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance stance on crimes against women, assuring that justice will be delivered without delay.

As the investigation continues, the arrest of the victim’s friend raises questions about trust, complicity, and the broader implications of campus safety.