Silchar Bypass Case: Medical report finds no evidence suggesting rape; probe continues

A fresh development has emerged in the Silchar Bypass case in which a woman and her husband/partner had alleged gang rape and extortion by a group of men after they were confronted inside their parked car on February 19.

Barak Bulletin has accessed the survivor’s medical examination findings through credible sources, which state that “evidence of recent sexual intercourse has not been detected.” The observation is part of the opinion recorded after physical, radiological and laboratory examinations conducted at the Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH).

The same medical opinion also notes that no injury marks were detected on the person. The report further provides an age estimation, placing her above 25 years and below 30 years, as per the opinion recorded in the document. It is worth mentioning here that the initial doctor’s note/prescription, also noted that, “no external injury seen at the time of the examination.” Patient also reported, as per the prescription that, “there was no instance of bleeding or vomiting.”

This development comes amid an ongoing investigation by Cachar Police. As Barak Bulletin had reported earlier, police had registered a case (177/26) under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and arrested one person, Nilotpal Das (25), who has denied rape allegations and claimed the incident involved extortion, according to police sources.

A senior police officer had earlier told Barak Bulletin that the matter is “sensitive” and under investigation, adding that it was too early to draw conclusions based on preliminary findings and that further arrests were likely.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Cachar – Partha Protim Das refused to make a fresh comment on the medical report and said the probe is ongoing.

There were rumours spreading that the medical examination was conducted later and not immediately when the incident was reported. Clarifying the doubts, the Cachar Police stated that the survivor was sent for a medical examination immediately after the FIR was filed. The same has been independently confirmed with the medical documents. The victim, while speaking to Barak Bulletin, too mentioned that she was sent to the hospital immediately after she reported the incident to the Police Station.

The Police further explained that such reports take several days to be issued because multiple departments are involved in the process. He made the clarification in response to public concerns over the validity of the medical examination, as some had suggested it might have been conducted only after the case went viral.

Note: This is a case of alleged sexual assault. Barak Bulletin is withholding identities to protect the survivor’s privacy. Readers are requested not to post any details in comments that could reveal her identity.