Kolkata Law College Gangrape: 3 Arrested, Investigation

Kolkata is in shock after a young law student was allegedly gang-raped inside South Calcutta Law College in the city’s Kasba area. Three men—Monojit Mishra (31), a former student and current staff member; Zaib Ahmed (19), a first-year student; and Pramit Mukherjee (20), another student—have been arrested and sent to police custody for four days.

The incident took place on June 25, between 7:30 pm and 10:50 pm, inside a guard’s room on the college campus. According to the survivor’s First Information Report (FIR), she had gone to the college to fill out exam forms. The main accused, Mishra, reportedly asked her to stay back and later proposed marriage. When she refused, saying she already had a boyfriend, the accused became angry.

The woman told police, “I touched his feet, but he didn’t let me go. They took me to the guard room forcefully, undressed me and started raping me.”

The survivor said she tried to fight back and cried for help, but the accused locked the door and threatened to kill her and her boyfriend. She also said they recorded videos of the assault and threatened to leak them if she did not cooperate. The accused allegedly tried to hit her with a hockey stick, causing injuries to her head. She was later forced to undress and was gang-raped while the other two accused stood guard.

A medical examination confirmed that the woman suffered forceful penetration, bite marks, and nail scratches on her body, supporting her allegations of brutal sexual assault. Police have seized the mobile phones of the accused and sent them for forensic analysis. The crime scene has been sealed for further investigation.

The case has drawn sharp reactions from both the public and political parties. Mishra, the main accused, is a former student and a student wing leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). The TMC leadership has distanced itself from Mishra, stating that he was not holding any main post in the student wing and that the party had no links with him.

Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) president Trinankur Bhattacharya said,

“We admit that it was a mistake that we could not anticipate that a student leader who we included in our party during his early student days would commit such a crime.”

However, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the TMC, sharing pictures of the accused with top party leaders and calling for strict action. The case has also sparked protests among students and locals, who are demanding justice for the survivor and better safety measures for women on college campuses.

Is Bengal Still the Safest State for Women?

For many years, West Bengal was considered one of the safest states for women in India. The state government often highlighted its efforts to protect women and ensure their safety. But recent incidents, like the gangrape at South Calcutta Law College, have raised serious questions about this claim.

The gangrape case is not an isolated incident. Just six months ago, a similar crime at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital led to citywide and nationwide protests. The repeated occurrence of such violent crimes on educational campuses is alarming and points to a deeper problem in society.

The survivor in this case was not only subjected to physical violence but also to threats and blackmail. The fact that the accused were students and a staff member, and one of them was a student leader linked to a major political party, shows how power and influence can be misused.

The survivor’s statement—“I touched his feet, but he didn’t let me go”—reflects her desperation and the failure of those in authority to protect her.

Many people are now questioning whether Bengal is truly safe for women. While the state government has made efforts to improve women’s safety, incidents like these show that more needs to be done. The police and college authorities must ensure that campuses are safe spaces for all students, especially women. Strict action against the accused is important, but so is preventing such crimes from happening in the first place.

The case also highlights the need for better support systems for survivors. The survivor in this case showed great courage by speaking out and filing a complaint. But not all women are able to do so, often due to fear of shame, threats, or lack of support. Society must change its attitude towards women and ensure that survivors are treated with respect and dignity.

In conclusion, Bengal may have been considered safe for women in the past, but recent events show that this is no longer the case. The state needs to take stronger steps to protect women and ensure justice for survivors. Only then can Bengal truly be called a safe place for women.

Summary and Perspective

The gangrape case at South Calcutta Law College has shocked Kolkata and the rest of the country. Three men, including a TMC youth leader, have been arrested and charged with gangrape, wrongful confinement, and common intention in criminal acts. The survivor’s statement and medical evidence confirm the brutality of the crime.

This incident is a wake-up call for Bengal. While the state has made progress in many areas, the safety of women remains a major concern. The government, police, and society must work together to ensure that women can live, study, and work without fear. Only then can Bengal regain its reputation as a safe place for women. The case also shows the importance of speaking out against injustice and supporting survivors, so that they can get the justice they deserve.