CU Law College Probe — The University of Calcutta (CU) has initiated an unprecedented, eight-year retrospective probe into the functioning of its affiliated law college — the Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College — following recent explosive allegations involving student misconduct, administrative lapses, and alleged faculty negligence.
This sweeping investigation, described by university insiders as the “largest internal probe in decades,” aims to expose longstanding structural flaws and potential cover-ups that may have enabled a toxic ecosystem on campus.
Why Now? The Trigger
The move comes in the aftermath of a shocking gang rape case involving a first-year student, which shook the legal and educational community of West Bengal last month. The case highlighted grave lapses in campus safety, student governance, and faculty accountability.
Initial findings suggested not only administrative ignorance but also possible political interference, prompting the CU Vice-Chancellor to announce a backdated audit of the college’s internal records, admission policies, union elections, financial dealings, and complaints filed since 2017.
“We will leave no stone unturned. The probe will go back eight years to investigate whether a pattern of negligence or corruption exists,” said a senior CU official.
CU Law College Probe: What Will Be Investigated?
According to a statement from CU’s Registrar Office, the probe committee will examine:
- Student Union Activities
- Election process integrity
- Funding and expenditures
- Allegations of coercion or criminal activities
- Faculty and Administration
- Teacher absenteeism
- Role in addressing student grievances
- Any cover-up or tampering with reports
- Academic Records
- Fake admissions or irregular transfers
- Malpractices during internal evaluations
- Campus Security Reports
- Ignored complaints of harassment
- Missing CCTV footage or entries
- Infrastructure and Grant Utilization
- Use (or misuse) of UGC and state funds
- Discrepancies in development work
Background: Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College
- Established: 1970
- Affiliation: University of Calcutta
- Approx. Students: 1,200+
- Notable for: Housing some of Kolkata’s top legal aspirants
- Controversies: Past allegations of student violence, faculty absenteeism, union politicization
In recent years, concerns were raised over declining academic standards, interference by political unions, and absence of effective redressal mechanisms — factors many say were brushed under the carpet.
Formation of Probe Committee
The probe will be led by a 3-member committee comprising:
- Retired Judge of Calcutta High Court
- Former CU Dean of Law
- Independent Administrative Auditor
Assisted by a legal advisor and data forensic expert, the committee will have powers to:
- Access internal records and emails
- Interview current and former staff/students
- Recommend disciplinary and legal action
Voices from the Campus
Students Speak:
“For years, complaints about harassment, unfair grading, and corruption were dismissed. Now finally someone’s listening,” said Ankita Ghosh, a fourth-year law student.
Faculty React:
“If there were lapses, they must be exposed. But we also fear this probe might become a media trial,” a faculty member said anonymously.
Victim’s Family:
“We welcome this. No other girl should suffer what my daughter went through,” said the father of the rape survivor.
Political and Legal Fallout
Political reactions have been swift and charged:
- Trinamool Congress (TMC) has maintained that law enforcement should act independently but denied allegations of shielding students affiliated with the party.
- BJP and Congress have both accused the state of fostering “a culture of fear and lawlessness” in campuses.
- Calcutta High Court has directed the government to submit a safety report for all state-run colleges within four weeks.
“This is not just a law college issue. It is about the erosion of trust in our academic institutions,” said Justice Soumya Sanyal (Retd.).
Timeline of Events: Eight Years Under the Scanner
| Year | Key Events |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Internal audit flags misused funds – no action taken |
| 2018 | Complaint of ragging ignored |
| 2019 | Student alleges molestation by senior – case closed quietly |
| 2020 | Pandemic halts academic oversight |
| 2021 | Unapproved student union meets held |
| 2022 | Allegations of admission scam surface – probe dropped |
| 2023 | CCTV system failure reported, no follow-up |
| 2024 | Repeated complaints of faculty absenteeism |
Data Snapshot
- Complaints filed by students (2017–2024): 93
- Action taken reports (filed): 14
- Security personnel on campus: 6 (recommended: 24)
- CCTV cameras functional: 7 out of 20
Related External Links
- University of Calcutta – Official Website
- Bar Council of India
- UGC Guidelines on Campus Safety
- Ministry of Education, GoI
What Happens Next?
The probe committee has been asked to submit an interim report within 45 days and a full report by November 2025.
Possible outcomes:
- Faculty and staff suspension or termination
- Revamp of student union policies
- Mandatory safety and grievance cells
- Legal action in case of proven cover-ups
Broader Implications
Education experts say this probe could become a template for governance reform in higher education institutions across India.
“What we see in this college exists in many campuses — political control, suppressed voices, and zero accountability,” said Dr. Meera Thakur, education policy analyst.
Conclusion
As Calcutta University digs deep into nearly a decade of administrative records and student complaints, the stakes are high — not just for the college in question, but for the credibility of academic spaces in Bengal.
This probe, if executed fairly and thoroughly, could restore faith in institutional justice, or — if mishandled — deepen cynicism about governance in Indian higher education.
Also read: Home | Channel 6 Network – Latest News, Breaking Updates: Politics, Business, Tech & More
