Alleged Gang-Rape at Kolkata Law College Sparks Outrage; Three Arrested
A woman was allegedly gang-raped earlier this week on the campus of South Calcutta Law College in Kolkata, prompting widespread outrage and drawing parallels to a similar incident at a medical college over six months ago that triggered large-scale protests across the city and country.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on Wednesday when the 24-year-old woman visited the college around noon to complete examination-related formalities. In her complaint, she stated that she was initially seated in the college union room, after which one of the accused reportedly ordered the main gate to be locked. She was then allegedly assaulted inside the campus’s security guard room.
Following her complaint, an investigation led to the arrest of three individuals: Monojit Mishra, 31, a former student and the unit president of the college’s Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP); Zaib Ahmed, 19; and Pramit Mukherjee, 20. Mishra and Ahmed were apprehended on the evening of June 26 near Talbagan Crossing, while Mukherjee was arrested from his residence in the early hours of June 27. Mobile phones belonging to all three were seized during the arrests.
Police confirmed that the alleged assault took place within the college premises. A preliminary medical examination of the woman has been completed, and multiple witness statements have been recorded. The scene has been secured for forensic analysis.
All three accused were presented before the Alipore court on Thursday. Police requested 14 days of custody, but the court granted custody until the following Tuesday.
The case has drawn strong political reactions. Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, criticized the state government, stating, “The police are entirely responsible. The entire Kolkata Police force has been deployed in Digha for Rath Yatra. What is the Chief Minister doing?”
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT Cell, described the incident as “horrific” in a post on X (formerly Twitter), alleging the involvement of individuals linked to the ruling Trinamool Congress. Citing the recent RG Kar hospital case, he accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of failing to protect women in the state and called West Bengal a “nightmare for women.”
Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, when asked for a response, said, “It is an extremely serious matter. I am not yet informed of the full details. I will get an update from the police and speak accordingly.”