A shocking case of alleged rape inside the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C) has triggered widespread outrage, legal action, and a political war of words in West Bengal. The accused, a second-year postgraduate student, was arrested on Friday and remanded to five days of police custody.

However, new twists emerged on Sunday, when the victim’s father issued a public statement that sharply contradicted earlier claims, raising questions and further complicating the case.

The Allegation: Assault Under Pretext of Counselling

According to the original police complaint, the survivor—a college student from another Kolkata institution—was invited by the accused to the IIM-C campus under the pretext of academic counselling. Once inside the boys’ hostel, the accused allegedly spiked her drink, and when she lost consciousness, he raped and later physically assaulted her.

Police sources confirmed that no entry was made in the visitor’s logbook, a clear violation of IIM Calcutta’s entry protocol, and suggested a deliberate attempt to evade security scrutiny.

Following the filing of the FIR, the accused was arrested and presented before a local court on Saturday, where the police sought and secured five days of custody for further investigation.

Police Submissions in Court

During the court proceedings, Kolkata Police stated that the assault appeared premeditated, and that forensic tests were underway on the drink served to the victim. Investigators are also examining CCTV footage to verify the sequence of events and check for any possible accomplices or institutional lapses.

Police also confirmed that the failure to record the visitor’s entry was a serious breach and would be investigated further, potentially implicating security or hostel staff.
Kolkata Police have also formed a SIT to probe the rape incident

Victim’s Father Issues Contradictory Statement

In a dramatic turn, the father of the survivor has issued a statement that has raised eyebrows and cast a shadow over the ongoing investigation.

Speaking to local media, her father said: “We do not wish to pursue the matter further. My daughter had gone to the IIM campus knowingly, and there may have been misunderstandings. We are not pressing charges at this stage and urge everyone to respect our privacy.”

The statement is in direct contradiction to the contents of the FIR initially filed by the survivor, where she clearly alleged rape, physical assault, and wilful deception by the accused.

Legal experts note that while the father’s statement might influence public opinion, the case cannot be withdrawn at will, as it is a cognizable offence under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and the investigation will continue unless law enforcement decides otherwise.

Political Fallout: BJP vs TMC

Even as the investigation continues, the incident has taken a distinctly political turn. BJP West Bengal President Sukanta Majumdar questioned the local influence in the functioning of IIM Calcutta.

“While IIM Calcutta is a central institution, many of the operational appointments—security, hostel staff, etc.—are done locally. The local MP and MLA cannot shrug off their responsibilities in such a grave security lapse,” Majumdar stated.

He demanded a central audit of recruitment and security protocols, calling the incident a sign of “systemic decay under politically influenced local arrangements.”

TMC Hits Back: BJP Passing the Buck

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh rebutted the claims strongly, accusing the BJP of politicising a sensitive criminal matter.

“IIM Calcutta is a centrally controlled institution. The Centre appoints its Director, funds its operations, and sets its policies. It is absurd for BJP to blame state representatives for what is essentially their institutional failure,” Ghosh said.

He accused the BJP of using the incident to distract from their own administrative shortcomings and demanded accountability from the Union Ministry of Education.

Campus Community in Shock, Admin Silent

While the political blame game escalates, students and staff at IIM Calcutta have expressed deep concern over the safety mechanisms on campus. Many have demanded stricter visitor protocols and swift disciplinary action against any staff or students found complicit.

The administration of IIM-C has remained silent so far, refusing to issue any public statement. Sources suggest an internal inquiry has been initiated, but no official confirmation has been provided.

What Lies Ahead

The U-turn by the victim’s father has complicated an already sensitive investigation. While the legal process remains active, the social and political fallout continues to grow. With mounting pressure on both the central institution and law enforcement, the case is poised to test public faith in institutional safety, legal transparency, and political responsibility.