Woman Alleges Rape After Being Drugged at IIM Calcutta; Police Begin Probe

New Delhi (India) July 13: According to reports, a woman claims that after being served food tainted with drugs, a student sexually assaulted her on the campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta. 

Victim Claims Drugged Drink Led to Assault

The woman claimed that she was called under the pretence of a counselling session and that the incident took place inside the boys' hostel.

After the woman filed a formal complaint at the Haridevpur Police Station, the accused was arrested.

IIM Calcutta Responds, Denies Link to Victim

IIM Calcutta accepted in a statement that one of its students had a "serious complaint" against them. It did, however, make clear that the complainant had no connection with the institute.

The official statement said, "We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and are fully cooperating with the law enforcement authorities, who are currently conducting an investigation." 

The woman's accusation stated that she lost consciousness after drinking a drug-laced drink provided by the accused. The name of the accused is Mahaveer Toppannavar. He is also known as Parmanand Jain. After that, she said, she was raped.

The Police officials said, "The woman stated in the FIR that she was called to the hostel for a counselling session. She then became unconscious after consuming a drink laced with drugs at the hostel. The woman realised she had been raped after regaining consciousness" in a statement.

According to the Kolkata Police, the student was arrested before being taken into custody last night. The victim further said that the accused had threatened to harm her if she discussed it with anyone.

Accused Denied Bail, Police Investigating Further

A court in Kolkata denied the accused's bail. The court placed him under seven days of police custody. On July 19, the accused will appear in court.

The accused has been charged with rape under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police have also confiscated his phone and clothing for forensic analysis. 

Four other people have also been taken into custody. They are being interrogated.

The incident occurs about two weeks after a 24-year-old student was said to have been raped at a Kolkata law college. In the case, three males and the college's security guard were taken into custody.

The case sparked intense emotions and occurred over a year after a similar incident at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

A medical investigation confirmed the survivor's claims. The investigation proved that her body showed signs of bite marks, nail scratches and forced entry.

Aadrika Tayal