Man remanded on charge of raping Irish student in India

A court in India’s eastern city of Kolkata has further remanded a man in custody on charges of drugging and raping a 21-year-old Irish charity worker last weekend.

Magistrate Manali Samanta sent Sujoy Mitra (25) back to police custody until June 10th while the authorities investigate the allegation against him.

The woman, an engineering student who came to India to work with a charity in Darjeeling, claimed to have been sexually assaulted by Mr Mitra following a night out celebrating her birthday in the city, formerly known as Calcutta.

She said she had offered to drop a drunk Mr Mitra home in a taxi after the party ended early Saturday morning. When they arrived at his house at about 6.45am, Mr Mitra allegedly invited her in for a cup of tea.

The woman told police she passed out in Mr Mitra’s bedroom after drinking the tea. She claims he then raped her.

The woman returned to her hotel in central Kolkata at about 7.30am, according to hotel employees. She was later persuaded by friends to go to the police to file a complaint. Mr Mitra was arrested a few hours after she spoke to police on Saturday evening. He was remanded in custody until today by a local court.

Mr Mitra’s lawyers deny their client was drunk on the night of the alleged attack, claiming he was suffering from pancreatitis and not permitted to consume alcohol.

Police asked for Mr Mitra to be remanded in custody till June 10th for him to undergo medical tests.