Police have launched an investigation into an alleged rape case after a 21-year-old engineering student filed a complaint against her classmate in Kolkata on Wednesday. The accused is currently absconding, officials said. The incident allegedly took place on September 26 at the victim’s rented flat. The victim, originally from Jharkhand, resides in the flat with a friend. In her written complaint, the victim alleges that at night, she had been out pandal-hopping with a friend. Her roommate was alone in the flat. After an all-night outing, the victim returned home in the morning. Shortly after, her roommate and another friend — the accused — left to see Durga idols, leaving the victim alone, police said. The victim claims that about an hour later, the accused arrived at the flat, saying he needed to collect some belongings that his friend (the victim’s roommate) had left there. “Taking the opportunity of being alone in her room, the FIR named accused person forced her to consume alcohol,” an official said, citing details from the complaint. The victim further alleged that the accused offered her food which was spiked, and she fell unconscious before the alleged rape. After regaining consciousness, the victim was allegedly threatened by the man with “bad consequences” if she told anyone. The accused allegedly then forcibly sent her back to her home in Jharkhand. Initially, "fear" prevented the woman from reporting the crime. Later, she informed her family, who advised her to go to the police. She returned to Kolkata and filed the complaint. “We have received a complaint and have initiated an investigation,” an official stated. “It is too early to say anything on this right now.” Based on the complaint, a case has been registered under section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police conducted a medical examination of the victim on Wednesday night, and her statement has been recorded. Investigators are also probing the alleged role of the woman’s friend in the incident.
