Kolkata woman alleges gang-rape during birthday celebration, police launch manhunt

Kolkata: A 20-year-old woman from Kolkata has accused two acquaintances of gang-raping her during her birthday celebration, prompting police to launch a search for the suspects.

According to officials, the complaint was lodged late Saturday night at Haridevpur Police Station in the southern fringes of the city. An FIR has been registered under relevant sections, and investigations are under way.

Police said the woman, a resident of the Haridevpur area, had come into contact with one of the accused, Chandan Mallick, a few months ago. Mallick introduced himself as the head of a major Durga Puja committee in south Kolkata and later introduced her to another man named Deep. The two often stayed in touch with her and promised to involve her in the puja committee.

As per the complaint, on Friday, her birthday, the men invited her to a flat in the Regent’s Park area. After having a meal together, the woman alleged that they locked the door, prevented her from leaving, and gang-raped her. She managed to return home later and informed her family, who encouraged her to approach the police.

A senior Kolkata Police officer confirmed the sequence of events, saying: “A complaint was lodged, and an FIR has been registered accordingly. We have started a search for the accused.”