The Kolkata Police have created a Special Investigation Team (SIT) made up of nine members to look into the alleged rape of a woman on the IIM Calcutta campus.
The accused is a final-year student named Mahaveer Toppannavar, also known as Parmanand Jain. Police arrested him and confirmed on Saturday that he will remain in custody until July 19.
According to police, the alleged assault happened on Friday inside the boys' hostel at IIM Calcutta. The SIT, led by an Assistant Commissioner from the South West Division, has been assigned to thoroughly investigate the complaint.
A senior police officer said the investigation is centered around collecting digital and forensic evidence. A forensic team has already visited the location, collecting key materials like leftover food and other items for lab tests.
Police have also requested CCTV footage from the IIM campus as part of the investigation.
The case took a dramatic turn when the woman’s father contradicted the police’s version of events. He told the media that his daughter said she had fallen from a vehicle, lost consciousness, and got hurt.
“Later, I came to know she was admitted to SSKM Hospital. Nothing of the sort that the police are claiming happened, based on the details I received from my daughter,” he told reporters.
He also claimed, “the police made his daughter write the complaint.”
During the court hearing on Saturday, the defense lawyer argued that the physical encounter was consensual and asked for bail.
However, Chief Prosecutor Sourin Ghosal told ANI, “We asked for police custody, and the accused asked for bail. They argued that it was consensual. We argued that no, the prima facie investigation shows that a crime was committed, and the medical evidence supports the victim.”
The court ruled in favor of the prosecution and sent the accused to police custody.
The accused's family said they were shocked by the arrest. His mother shared that she was unaware of what had happened.
“We received a call from his friend around 11 in the night. He told us that my son has been detained and he doesn't know the reason,” she said.
She added, “He was in the final year of his college. We have no clue why our son has been arrested. He will never do such a dirty thing.”
The West Bengal State Women’s Commission has taken suo motu notice of the matter. Chairperson Leena Gangopadhyay confirmed that they are in contact with the police and plan to speak with the woman and her family.
“We want the truth to come out. If any social stigma or family pressure is preventing her family from speaking freely, that must be addressed. We are closely monitoring the developments,” Gangopadhyay said.
