Durgapur/Balasore, Oct 14: Former Union Minister and Lok Sabha MP from Odisha’s Balasore, Pratap Chandra Sarangi, visited the Durgapur gangrape victim at a private hospital in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district on Tuesday, amid controversy over being initially denied entry.

BJP MP Sarangi, accompanied by a team of BJP workers, arrived in Durgapur in the afternoon to meet the young woman, a second-year medical student from Jaleswar in Odisha’ Balasore district, who is undergoing treatment following the alleged assault. The incident reportedly occurred on Friday night outside the campus of a private medical college when the victim went out for dinner with a friend.

Entry Denied, Tensions Rise

Upon reaching the hospital, Sarangi and his team were stopped by security personnel, leading to a heated exchange. BJP’s Balasore media coordinator Srinivas Pradhan expressed frustration, stating, “The MP’s visit had been communicated to the West Bengal administration and police. Despite that, we were stopped. This is the state of affairs in Bengal.”

Sarangi echoed the sentiment, saying, “We are here to meet our daughter, who has been tortured. But they are not allowing us.”

Meeting the Victim

Despite the initial resistance, Sarangi and a few BJP workers were eventually allowed to meet the victim inside the hospital. The visit comes amid growing outrage over the incident, which has sparked political and public concern across Odisha and West Bengal.

The second-year student hailing from Odisha's Jaleswar was allegedly raped outside the campus of a private medical college in Durgapur on Friday night when she went out with one of her friends for dinner.

Also Read: Odisha Deputy CM Slams Mamata Banerjee Over ‘Disappointing’ Remark After Durgapur Gang Rape

Investigation Progress

Police have arrested five individuals in connection with the alleged gangrape. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have assured that justice will be served.

The incident has reignited debates over women’s safety and administrative transparency, with political leaders demanding swift and fair action.

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