A serious incident has shaken the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta, where a second-year student was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the boys’ hostel on the Joka campus. The incident, reported on Friday evening, has led to public outrage and raised concerns about safety at one of India’s top management schools.
The Allegation: What the Survivor Says
According to the police report filed at Haridevpur Police Station, the woman, who is not a student at IIM Calcutta, said she was invited to the campus by the accused, Parmanand Toppaunwar, for a supposed counseling session. They had met through work-related interactions earlier.
She alleges that when she arrived at the Joka campus, the accused did not let her sign in as a visitor, which is a required rule. Instead of going to a counseling area, he took her to the boys’ hostel. There, she was offered pizza and a drink. She claims the drink was spiked with a sedative, making her feel dizzy and pass out.
When she woke up, she was in a hostel room and realized she had been sexually assaulted. She says the accused threatened her to stay silent. Despite the trauma, she left the campus, contacted a friend, and went to Thakurpukur Police Station. They directed her to Haridevpur Police Station, which handles cases for the IIM campus area. The police filed a case under laws for rape and causing harm with poison.
A Different Story: The Father’s Claim
The survivor’s father has denied the assault claims. He told the media that his daughter was not harmed and had fallen from a car, which caused her to lose consciousness. He said he found her at SSKM Hospital after a call around 9:34 PM on Friday. According to him, she said, “Nothing happened to me. No one harassed or tortured me.” This conflicting story has left people confused, and the police are working to find out what really happened.
Police Actions and Investigation
Kolkata Police arrested the accused, a second-year student from Karnataka, on Friday night. He was taken to Alipore Court on Saturday and will stay in police custody until July 19, 2025. The police are checking CCTV footage, hostel entry records, and digital evidence to piece together the events. They are also looking into why the survivor was not asked to sign the visitor’s register, which points to possible security issues.
Investigators are questioning hostel security staff and other students for more information. They are also checking if the accused brought other visitors to the hostel without following rules, suggesting bigger problems with campus safety.
IIM Calcutta’s Statement
IIM Calcutta issued a statement saying they take such complaints very seriously and have a “zero-tolerance policy” for such incidents. They confirmed the woman is not a student and the accused is in police custody. The institute’s Director-in-Charge, Saibal Chattopadhyay, said they cannot comment further as the police are still investigating.
Growing Concerns: Safety on Campus
This incident follows another serious case in Kolkata, where four people were arrested for a gang-rape at South Calcutta Law College on June 25, 2025. These cases have put a spotlight on safety issues in Kolkata’s colleges, reminding many of the 2024 rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College, which led to nationwide protests.
People are now demanding better security at IIM Calcutta, such as stricter visitor rules, more CCTV cameras, and stronger hostel access checks. Social media is buzzing with hashtags like #CampusSafety and #JusticeForSurvivor, showing public anger and calls for change.
What Happens Next?
The police are still investigating, looking at forensic evidence and witness statements to clarify the conflicting stories. The court’s decision to keep the accused in custody until July 19 shows they are taking the case seriously.
This incident has damaged IIM Calcutta’s reputation and highlighted the need for better safety measures in colleges. As the case develops, it raises important questions about protecting women in educational spaces.
Last Updated on: Saturday, July 12, 2025 7:02 pm by K Nikhil | Published by: K Nikhil on Saturday, July 12, 2025 7:02 pm | News Categories: News
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