IIM Calcutta rape case: Victim skips court date, refuses medical test; irks police

The investigation into the alleged rape of a woman at IIM Calcutta has become complicated as police officials report a lack of cooperation from the complainant. The case was registered on Friday at Haridevpur Police Station after the woman accused a second-year MBA student of drugging and sexually assaulting her inside the 'Lake View' hostel on the campus.

Following the complaint, the accused student, identified as Parmanand Mahabir Toppanabar alias Parmanand Jain, was arrested from room number 151 of the hostel. Police initiated a forensic investigation, but officials state that the woman has so far refused to undergo a medical examination and has not submitted the clothes she was wearing at the time of the incident. Investigators are now depending on the accused’s clothes for forensic tests.

Special Investigation Team (SIT) officers involved in the case said that the complainant has not responded to repeated calls and has failed to appear in court for her confidential statement, scheduled first for Saturday and then again on Tuesday. Police also visited her residence in South 24 Parganas but were unable to locate her. The lack of participation from the complainant, according to officials, has delayed critical aspects of the investigation.

The woman had initially alleged that she was served a drug-laced substance, following which she was sexually assaulted. In connection with this claim, samples of food and water collected from the incident site have been sent for forensic examination. Police are also reviewing mobile call records and social media chats between the accused and the complainant. A reconstruction of the alleged crime scene is being conducted based on the available evidence.

Police officials further stated that the complainant’s father has given a statement claiming that his daughter was not sexually assaulted and that she had fallen from an auto. The police are continuing the investigation from all angles and are likely to present an update before the court on Saturday to decide the next legal steps.