IIM Calcutta rape: Survivor skips court for third time, probe hits roadblock
The investigation into the alleged rape at IIM Calcutta has been stalled because the survivor failed to appear before the court for the third consecutive time. On Friday, the Alipore court had summoned the survivor to record her confidential statement. However, she remained absent despite her scheduled appearance.
New Delhi: The investigation into the alleged rape at IIM Calcutta has hit a puzzling impasse, with the survivor failing to appear before the court for the third consecutive time.
On Friday, the Alipore court had summoned the survivor to record her confidential statement. However, she remained absent despite the scheduled appearance.
Survivor did not appear before court
According to reports, the survivor has not responded to multiple summons. Her continued absence has stalled the investigation. In sexual assault cases, the medico-legal examination plays a key role in gathering forensic evidence, but even that has not been conducted as the survivor has not given her consent.
On Friday, the defense lawyer for the accused used the survivor's non-appearance to push for bail, citing a lack of cooperation. The accused’s lawyer also pointed to alleged inconsistencies in the survivor’s statements. However, the government lawyer opposed the plea, arguing for continued judicial custody. The court sided with the prosecution and rejected the bail application.
The court has now fixed a fourth date for the hearing, scheduled for next Friday.
Inconsistencies in victim's statement
The accused is a student at IIM Calcutta and remains in police custody following his arrest last week. Meanwhile, the complainant’s father has denied the rape allegations. He claimed that his daughter sustained injuries in an accident. According to him, she told him she had fallen from a vehicle and was later admitted to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata.
The Kolkata Police have pointed out "multiple discrepancies” in the complainant’s account. As part of their ongoing probe, they have sought CCTV footage from the IIM Calcutta campus dated July 11 to trace the woman’s movements.