A heart-wrenching incident has come to light from Sangli district in Maharashtra, once again raising serious questions about the safety of women in the country. A third-year MBBS student was allegedly gang-raped by two of her classmates and their friend. The incident took place on the night of May 18, 2025, and the police have arrested all three accused in this case. This incident has not only raised questions about the security arrangements in educational institutions but has also exposed the deep-rooted mentality prevalent in society.
Two classmates and their friend took the victim to a flat and raped her
According to the information, the victim hails from Belgaum, Karnataka, and is a third-year student at a medical college in Sangli. As per the police, on the night of May 18, the victim was planning to watch a movie with her two classmates and their friend. However, before watching the movie, the three accused took her to a flat. There, they allegedly gave her a spiked drink, which caused her to feel dizzy. Taking advantage of her intoxicated state, the three raped her. Not only that, the accused also threatened her with severe consequences if she reported the incident to anyone.
Showing immense courage, the victim lodged a complaint with the police. The Vishrambag police in Sangli acted swiftly and arrested all three accused on Tuesday night. After being presented in court, the accused were sent to police custody until May 27.
Rising cases of violence against women in India
This incident is one among many that highlight the increasing violence and insecurity faced by women in India. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data from 2021, states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of rape cases. However, experts believe that the majority of rape cases in India go unreported. According to a 2006 NCRB report, approximately 71% of rape cases are not reported, with reasons including social stigma, threats, and a lack of trust in the legal process.
Moreover, cases of sexual assault involving the use of intoxicants are also on the rise. According to a 2021 report in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 15-20% of sexual assault cases in India involve the use of drugs. This is a worrying trend, indicating the extent to which criminals are committing such crimes in a planned manner.
Questions raised on college administration and local police after the incident
This incident also highlights the lack of safety in educational institutions. Incidents like these in places like medical colleges, where students work hard to shape their future, are deeply concerning. Trusting classmates and participating in social activities with them is a common occurrence, but when those same classmates betray trust and commit crimes, it is not only a shock to the victim but to society as a whole.
This incident has also raised questions about whether college administrations and local police are taking adequate steps to prevent such incidents. Are sufficient measures being implemented to provide a safe environment for female students? These questions are arising in the minds of every parent, every female student, and every responsible citizen of society.
