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Amid a worrying rise in crimes against women in West Bengal, Kolkata Police on October 13 arrested a 19-year-old man for repeatedly sexually assaulting his 15-year-old girlfriend, allegedly due to which she became pregnant. Officials confirmed on October 15 that the accused, a resident of Garden Reach in South 24 Parganas, was arrested outside his house at 2 am following a tip-off.

The matter came to light on September 28 when the victim’s father lodged a complaint via email at the South Port police station, accusing the boy of molesting his daughter at several places during their relationship. The father later lodged a personal complaint, following which an FIR was registered under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and Section 64(2)(m) of the Indian Judicial Code. The suspect was produced in court and taken on remand for further questioning, the police are also investigating his possible accomplices.

The arrest comes amid outrage following a brutal gang rape incident in Durgapur on October 10, where a second-year MBBS student from Jaleswar in Odisha was attacked near her private medical college campus. The victim, who had gone out for dinner with a male friend at around 8:30 pm, was dragged to a wooded area and attacked by multiple assailants. West Bengal Police arrested six suspects by 14 October, including those involving his friend, and reconstructed the crime scene. The victim was provided medical aid and her phone was confiscated as evidence.

The Durgapur incident gave rise to a fierce political conflict. BJP leaders criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress government for lapses in women’s safety and termed it a “repeat of the RG tax”. Trinamool Congress hit back, accusing BJP of exploiting tragedies for votes. Protests broke out in the college, with the Calcutta High Court allowing BJP demonstrations till 19 October, but banning entry into the campus.

Medical associations condemned the attacks and demanded tight security at the campus and speedy justice. As the investigation progresses, these cases are highlighting the continuing crisis of gender violence in West Bengal and calling for systemic reforms to protect vulnerable youth.