Kolkata Law College Gang Rape – A harrowing case of alleged gang rape of a law student inside the South Kolkata Law College campus has sent shockwaves across West Bengal. The incident, which occurred on the evening of June 25, 2025, has resulted in the arrest of four individuals, including a former student leader and the college security guard. The incident has reignited national conversations on campus safety, gender-based violence, and institutional accountability.
Kolkata Law College Gang Rape: The Incident
A 24-year-old woman, a first-year law student, was allegedly gang-raped by three individuals in a guard room within the college premises in Kasba. According to the victim’s official complaint, she had remained on campus to attend a student committee meeting and to submit examination forms. At around 7:30 PM, she was allegedly lured and forced into the guard room by one of the accused, Monojit Mishra.
Mishra, who had previously served as the president of the college unit of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), reportedly proposed marriage to the victim, which she refused. This rejection allegedly led to a premeditated act of revenge.
Inside the guard room, Mishra allegedly raped her while two others, identified as Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20), watched. The three reportedly filmed the assault to threaten the victim with blackmail. She was beaten with a hockey stick, sustained multiple head injuries, and was stripped and humiliated.
She was finally able to leave the room around 10:50 PM after pleading for mercy and was taken to CNMC Hospital for treatment.
Arrests and Police Action
Kolkata Police immediately launched an investigation. Within 24 hours, Mishra, Ahmed, and Mukherjee were arrested and remanded to police custody.
Two days later, on June 28, police arrested a fourth individual—Pinaki Banerjee, the college’s on-duty security guard. His arrest came after inconsistencies were found in his statement. CCTV footage showed that he was present near the scene but did not intervene despite witnessing the assault and allegedly hearing the victim cry for help.
According to police sources, Banerjee left the guard room during the incident and failed to report it to either the college authorities or the police. Investigators suspect passive complicity.
The accused are currently in police custody, and authorities are expected to seek an extension of their remand for further investigation.
Medical and Forensic Findings
The victim underwent a medical examination at CNMC Hospital, where reports confirmed signs of sexual assault, including bruises, bite marks, and internal injuries. These findings have been documented in the First Information Report (FIR) and align with the victim’s statement.
Police have also retrieved a 7-hour-long CCTV footage from the campus and confiscated mobile phones from the accused. One device contained a video of the assault, which will be used as digital evidence.
Further forensic tests are ongoing, including DNA matching and analysis of the video clip. A team from the state forensic lab has visited the scene, and the guard room where the incident occurred has been sealed.
Political Reactions
The incident has quickly escalated into a political issue, with opposition parties questioning the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) role and accountability, given the prime accused’s former association with the party’s student wing.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have condemned the attack and staged protests across Kolkata. BJP MP Dr. Sukanta Majumdar accused the ruling TMC of “creating a culture of impunity” within educational institutions. The BJP has demanded that the college principal be suspended and the college administration be overhauled.
In response, TMC leadership has clarified that Monojit Mishra is no longer affiliated with the TMCP and has expressed support for the investigation. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh stated that the government is committed to delivering justice swiftly and transparently.
National Commission for Women Steps In
Taking suo motu cognisance of the case, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has written to the West Bengal Chief Secretary requesting immediate access to the survivor and her family. The NCW has also sought a detailed action-taken report and asked for provisions to ensure the victim’s safety, including counseling and legal aid.
NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma called the incident “a gross failure of institutional mechanisms” and demanded stringent punishment for all individuals involved, including those who were complicit by inaction.
Campus Safety Concerns
The assault has raised significant questions about student safety in educational institutions, especially during after-hours. The fact that the incident occurred within the college premises, under the supervision of a security guard, has drawn public anger.
Students from various Kolkata colleges, including Presidency University and Jadavpur University, have organized protest marches, demanding that all educational institutions establish:
- 24/7 surveillance and CCTV coverage
- Women’s safety cells and rapid response units
- Student grievance redressal systems
- Regular background checks for all non-teaching staff
State Education Minister Bratya Basu acknowledged the lapse and announced that the Education Department will soon release updated guidelines to improve campus safety and security audits.
College Response
The governing body of the South Kolkata Law College has issued a statement expressing shock and sorrow over the incident. The college has suspended all the accused students and staff, pending the outcome of the police investigation.
However, students and faculty have accused the administration of negligence and demanded the resignation of the principal and other key officials.
A three-member internal inquiry committee has been formed to coordinate with police and ensure transparency.
Legal Proceedings Ahead
Public Prosecutor Sourin Ghosal has confirmed that police are pursuing multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:
- Section 376D: Gang rape
- Section 354: Assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty
- Section 506: Criminal intimidation
- Section 120B: Criminal conspiracy
If convicted, the accused may face life imprisonment.
Authorities are also exploring whether charges under the Information Technology Act can be invoked for the creation and circulation of explicit content for blackmail purposes.
Conclusion
The gang rape of a law student inside a college campus has shaken Kolkata to its core. It reflects not just an individual criminal act but a deeper systemic failure—of institutional safeguards, administrative vigilance, and social responsibility.
While arrests have been made swiftly, and the state has promised justice, the broader questions of safety, transparency, and accountability remain. The need for robust campus safety reforms, gender sensitization, and institutional integrity has never been more urgent.
External References:
- West Bengal Police
- National Commission for Women – Suo Motu Notice
- Ministry of Women and Child Development
- Kolkata Police Crime Branch
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