Kolkata: HC asks IPS officer to oversee Namkhana rape investigation

The Calcutta High Court bench headed by Chief Justice Prakash Srivastava on Friday directed Special Commissioner IPS officer Damayanti Sen to oversee investigation of the alleged Namkhana gangrape case. On April 12, the HC had ordered an investigation of North 24 Pargana's Deganga and three other rape cases in Malda's Enlishbazar, Matia and Kolkata's Bansdroni under the supervision of Sen.

A woman was allegedly captured by round five men and gang-raped at midnight when she went to the bathroom outside her house on April 9 in Patibunia village under Namkhana Police Station.

The court also observed that the victim, her family members and all witnesses in the case must be given security. Considering the progress of the investigation, the court might consider CBI investigation at a later stage.


According to the police complaint, the victim claimed that the incident happened at around 3 am on April 9. Attempt was made to pour petrol on her and burn her alive after the alleged gang-rape, she told police. However, she had a narrow escape as her father-in-law woke up and came out of the house to her rescue, police said.