The Incident
According to police, the survivor went to the house with Chandan Malik, whom she had met a few months earlier. She was told that a birthday party was being hosted there. However, upon arrival, she found only Malik and another man, Debangshu Biswas, at the residence. The two allegedly raped her before she managed to file a police complaint on September 6 at Haridevpur police station.
Following the complaint, charges of gang rape were registered against Malik and Biswas. Both accused are currently absconding, and the police have launched a search operation to trace them.
Property Owner’s Statement
The house where the crime occurred was reportedly rented by Biswas, who introduced himself to the landlord as a government employee living with his mother. The owner confirmed that the police visited the property soon after the complaint was filed. Residents of the area expressed shock over the incident.
Context of Rising Crimes Against Women
This case adds to a troubling series of recent crimes against women in Kolkata. On June 25, 2025, a law student was raped on the campus of South Calcutta Law College. In that case, police filed a charge sheet against former Trinamool Congress student leader Monojit Mishra and three others.
Earlier, in August 2024, the rape and murder of a young doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital sparked widespread protests across the city. In January 2025, a trial court sentenced Sanjay Roy, a former civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, to life imprisonment for that crime. The incident highlighted systemic concerns over women’s safety in the city.
Police Action and Public Concerns
Kolkata Police have assured that they are actively pursuing the accused in the Regent Colony case. Authorities emphasized that crimes against women will be met with strict legal action. Activists and citizens, however, continue to call for more preventive measures, community vigilance, and stronger institutional safeguards.
As Kolkata grapples with repeated cases of sexual violence, women’s safety remains at the forefront of public concern. Civil society groups have urged the government to strengthen support systems for survivors and ensure fast-track trials to deliver justice.
