A day after the Odisha MBBS student who was allegedly raped outside a private medical college in West Bengal left the hospital where she had been admitted, her father said that she wanted to continue her studies in the college despite her family’s apprehensions about her safety.
“My daughter is stable now. I have come back to Odisha for a day. I will go back. I will bring my daughter back and meet the Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi along with her,” he told The Indian Express over the phone.
Six men, including the student’s male friend, have been arrested over the rape that allegedly took place late on October 10 in Paschim Bardhaman district. The student was released from the hospital on Friday.
He further said, “My daughter is very strong. She still wants to study in that college, but I am worried about her safety. Since my daughter wants to continue her studies and pursue her dreams, we will not stop her.”
According to the father, the student’s family wants to see what facilities she will get in Odisha.
“I am not able to make up my mind. I need to discuss with my family what to do. I need to see what facilities will be given to my daughter in Odisha before making the final decision. But I will bring her home within the next few days for some time,” he said. “I will bring my daughter back home after the identification parade.”
On Friday, the hospital issued a health bulletin, stating, “Our multispecialty medical board has taken meticulous care of her physical and mental well-being. Following a comprehensive review by our team of expert doctors, she has been deemed fit for discharge. This assessment has been duly discussed with her parents, and she has been safely discharged from the hospital today”.
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According to sources, the student’s parents have informed the police and hospital authorities of their plan to take her home, but when she will be able to go remains unclear, as the police need to verify statements given by the accused with her statement.
The sources said the police were looking into the WhatsApp chats between the student and her male friend. They are retrieving some deleted chats from both of their phones, the sources added.
The police on Thursday cordoned off a large area of the jungle where the rape allegedly took place. On Friday, a forensic team visited the area and collected additional samples.
All six accused are in police custody and will be produced in court on October 22 .
