'Police Can Act Only After Incident Happens': TMC's Saugata Roy Urges Women Not To Go Out At Night

Last Updated:October 13, 2025, 14:53 IST

Senior TMC MP Saugata Roy, commenting on the Durgapur gang-rape case, suggested that women should avoid going out late at night, saying the police cannot patrol every road.

A file photo of Saugata Roy/Durgapur medical college (PTI)

Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy, echoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Monday suggested that women should not step out of their college premises during the late hours, as the police cannot patrol everywhere.

Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, over the alleged gang-rape of a medical student in Durgapur, West Bengal, Roy said, “Women shouldn’t leave their colleges so late at night, as the police can’t patrol everywhere."

“The police cannot be present on every road, they can take action after an incident occurs. So, women should also be cautious," Roy said.

The 23-year-old woman, hailing from Jaleswar in Odisha’s Balasore district, was gang-raped on the night of October 10, when she went outside the private medical college with a friend to have dinner.

As the incident sparked outrage, Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said that girls should not be allowed to go out at night, thus drawing criticism.

At the same time, the CM asserted that her government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against such heinous crimes and asked the police to take stringent action against the accused persons.

“In Bengal, we have a zero-tolerance policy against such crimes. Students from outside come here to study. I would request them not to go out at night because the police don’t get to know who is going out at night," Mamata Banerjee said.

“The police cannot keep a watch on everyone by going to their doorstep. The private medical college also has a responsibility to take care of its students," she said while speaking to media persons outside Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport.

“If anyone goes out at 12.30 am and something happens, we condemn what happened. We do not support the incident. Everyone is free to go anywhere. But everyone, especially those who live in hostels, must exercise caution. I have asked the police to take stringent action. Nobody will be spared," she added.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Police on Monday arrested two more persons in connection with the Durgapur gang-rape case, taking the total number of apprehensions in the case to five.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, alleged that at least one of the arrested accused is a Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker.

Reacting to the claim, TMC spokesperson Debanshu Bhattacharya said, “Even if he is a party worker, it must be appreciated that the TMC has zero tolerance for crimes. Had this incident occurred in a BJP-ruled state, the accused would have been garlanded instead."

The incident has also triggered sharp reactions from neighbouring Odisha, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urging his West Bengal counterpart to ensure the strictest punishment for the culprits.

ALSO READ | BJP Accuses CM Of Cover-Up, Victim-Blaming In Durgapur Rape Case

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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