Kolkata Gang-Rape Case: Police Arrest 1 Accused From Burdwan, Massive Hunt On For 2nd Suspect Amid Public Outrage
Kolkata Gang-Rape Case: Police arrest 1 accused from Burdwan, massive hunt launched for 2nd suspect as public outrage and protests grow across the city
Kolkata, September 10, 2025 — In a chilling case that has sent shockwaves across West Bengal, police made the first breakthrough in the Kolkata gang-rape investigation, arresting one of the prime accused from Burdwan district late Tuesday night. The arrest marks the first major step in the high-profile case that has ignited public outrage, street protests, and renewed demands for women’s safety in the city. A manhunt is now underway to nab the second accused, who remains on the run.
The incident occurred on September 6, when a 22-year-old woman was allegedly abducted and gang-raped after leaving her workplace in central Kolkata. According to the FIR lodged by her family, the survivor was forcibly taken in a vehicle by two men who then subjected her to brutal assault before abandoning her in an isolated area near the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass.
The survivor, who sustained serious injuries, is currently undergoing treatment at a government hospital. Doctors have confirmed her condition is stable but have described her trauma as “severe.”
Acting on intelligence inputs and mobile tower locations, a joint team of Kolkata Police’s Detective Department and Burdwan district police carried out a late-night raid on Tuesday in Katwa, Burdwan. One of the accused, identified as Rafiq Ahmed (28), was arrested from a hideout.
Deputy Commissioner (Crime) Anindya Banerjee confirmed the development:
“We have successfully apprehended one of the prime accused from Burdwan. He will be brought to Kolkata for custodial interrogation. The search for the second accused is on in multiple districts.”
Sources said that Ahmed had been hiding with relatives and was planning to flee to Bihar.
The second accused, identified as Imran Sheikh (31), remains absconding. Police have circulated his photographs across West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand, and lookout notices have been issued. Teams from the Special Task Force (STF) and Crime Branch are tracking his movements.
Senior police officials revealed that Sheikh is a repeat offender with prior records of assault and extortion. His criminal history is now under detailed investigation.
The arrest comes amid mounting criticism of the state government’s handling of the case. Opposition leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress staged protests outside Lalbazar Police Headquarters, accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of failing to ensure women’s safety in Kolkata.
BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said:
“How many more women must suffer before this government wakes up? Law and order has collapsed in West Bengal.”
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury echoed the sentiment, demanding fast-track trial and death penalty for the accused.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed anguish over the incident in the state assembly:
“This is a heinous crime, and the culprits will not be spared. I have directed the police to ensure strictest punishment under law.”
The case has triggered widespread anger among citizens, particularly in Kolkata, which has often projected itself as one of India’s safer metros for women. Candlelight marches, street demonstrations, and social media campaigns have flooded the city since the crime came to light.
Anita Roy, a college student who joined a protest at Esplanade, said:
“We are tired of hearing promises. Every time such an incident happens, politicians make statements but nothing changes on the ground.”
Women’s rights groups have also demanded systemic reforms, including more CCTV coverage, better street lighting, increased patrolling in sensitive zones, and stricter monitoring of repeat offenders.
Police officials confirmed that Rafiq Ahmed will be produced in a Kolkata court on Wednesday. Investigators are seeking his 14-day police custody to extract more information about the crime and the whereabouts of his accomplice.
Legal experts suggest the case may be transferred to a fast-track court given the public attention and severity of charges. Sections of gang rape, kidnapping, criminal intimidation, and attempt to murder have been invoked in the FIR.
Advocate Partha Mitra, a senior lawyer at the Calcutta High Court, said:
“The law is very clear on such crimes. If proven guilty, the accused may face the maximum punishment, which in certain circumstances can be the death penalty.”
The case has drawn national headlines, with leaders across party lines condemning the crime. Women’s commissions, human rights activists, and celebrities have voiced support for the survivor. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought an urgent report from West Bengal Police.
NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma tweeted:
“We are in touch with Kolkata Police. The survivor must get justice at the earliest. Such crimes must be punished with zero tolerance.”
The Kolkata case brings back memories of other high-profile crimes against women in India, including the 2012 Delhi Nirbhaya case and more recent assaults in Hyderabad and Unnao. Activists argue that despite legal reforms and stricter punishments, crimes against women continue to rise due to weak enforcement and societal apathy.
Criminologist Dr. Abhijit Sarkar explained:
“Fear of law is missing. Unless investigations are swift, trials are fast, and punishments are exemplary, such crimes will continue to haunt our society.”
With one accused in custody and another still absconding, the spotlight remains firmly on how Kolkata Police handles the case in the coming days. For citizens, the incident has reopened larger questions about women’s safety, law enforcement efficiency, and political accountability.
As protests grow louder and the survivor battles trauma, the people of Kolkata demand not just justice in this single case but a broader guarantee of safety in their city. Whether this incident becomes a turning point or another forgotten chapter will depend on the actions of the state’s political and legal machinery in the weeks ahead.
