‘Mamata Lied About 12.30 AM’: BJP Accuses CM Of Cover-Up, Victim-Blaming In Durgapur Rape Case

BJP IT Cell Head Amit Malviya and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. (Image: PTI/File

The alleged gang-rape of a 23-year-old MBBS student in Durgapur has triggered a fierce political row in West Bengal, with BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misleading the public about the details of the case.

Malviya, in a post on X, claimed that Banerjee “lied” about the victim being out of her college campus at 12:30 a.m., asserting that the girl had, in fact, left at 8 p.m. “The truth is that, as per IQ City Medical College & Hospital, the girl went out at 8 p.m., which is a decent hour by any standard,” he wrote.

He alleged that Banerjee attempted to shift responsibility for the horrific crime onto the private college, while the real failure lay with the state’s law enforcement. “The area near the college, lacking proper lighting, has long been a hub of criminal activity. The police failed to secure it, leading to this tragedy,” Malviya stated.

He further accused the Chief Minister of prioritising political calculations over justice. “It won’t be a surprise if she negotiates with community leaders to dilute the case for electoral gains. For Mamata Banerjee, every woman’s life and dignity come second to her political interests,” Malviya alleged.

CM Banerjee faces backlash

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s comments on the Durgapur case had already sparked controversy, with opposition leaders and women’s rights activists accusing her of victim-blaming. While addressing the media, Banerjee expressed shock over the incident and confirmed that three of the accused had been arrested, promising strict action against all culprits.

However, her remarks questioning “how the victim was allowed to leave the campus at 12.30 a.m.” and advising that “girls should also protect themselves” drew intense criticism. She had stated, “The private institution should not allow it… girls should not leave campus at night like this,” suggesting partial responsibility on the college authorities and the victim herself.

What Mamata Banerjee said?

Following public outrage, Banerjee clarified that her words were being “deliberately distorted” for political motives. “You ask me a question, and when I answer, my words are twisted and taken out of context. Unlike others, I speak directly,” she said.

The Chief Minister insisted her government maintains a strict stance against sexual violence. “We have a zero-tolerance policy. The police acted swiftly in the Durgapur case, and justice will be delivered,” Banerjee asserted, adding that her administration had previously ensured death penalties in similar cases.

The Durgapur case has become the latest flashpoint in Bengal’s charged political climate, with the BJP accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of governance failure and insensitivity, while TMC alleges a deliberate attempt to politicise a tragic incident.