Bengal MBBS student rape case: ‘No street lights or police surveillance in area,’ says National Commission for Women report

The NCW directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to submit a comprehensive security audit report of the private medical college to the NCW within a month, including details of CCTV coverage, functionality, and student welfare measures.

According to Majumdar’s report, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, the victim stated that she and her male friend had gone out to buy dinner when they noticed three men on a motorcycle following them. Initially, her friend allegedly ignored the men, assuming they would leave, but when the motorcycle “continued to follow them”, they panicked and ran towards a wooded area. The male friend “managed to escape”, but the girl was allegedly raped by one of the accused.

Majumdar wrote that she had visited the crime spot, observing that “the road leading from the hospital passes through a densely wooded area that remains completely dark at night. There is a total absence of street lighting and surveillance, making it unsafe for pedestrians, particularly women.”

It alleges that the medical institution, “employing and training over a thousand female students and healthcare professionals, lacks even basic security infrastructure… No evidence of regular police patrolling was found, despite the area being commonly known for anti-social and criminal activities. The State government had previously announced the “Raatri’r Saathi” project following the RG Kar incident to ensure the safety of women traveling at night; however, the initiative appeared to be non-functional in this region.”

Majumdar has listed 11 recommendations in her report. Among them is for the hospital to ensure free and high-quality medical treatment for the victim, with the option of shifting her to AIIMS Kalyani, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, or another hospital of her family’s choice if needed.

She also recommended that the victim be provided academic relief, as she “may miss her upcoming Physiology examination scheduled for October 15-16 due to trauma”. The NMC and the university were recommended to arrange a special examination to “prevent academic loss”.

Regarding safety infrastructure, the report suggests “setting up” a police assistance booth or outpost within the hospital campus to ensure round-the-clock security. It also recommends that all entry and exit gates maintain registers of student movement, and hostel superintendents monitor students’ outings and return timings.

The report calls for the installation of proper lighting and CCTV cameras along the connecting road, as well as the establishment of food outlets and other essential facilities within the college campus to minimise the need for students to step out at night.

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