Kolkata Law College: Kolkata’s legal education community has been shaken after a 24-year-old law student was gang-raped within her college premises on June 25, 2025. The case has opened a floodgate of disturbing revelations about deep-seated political interference, unchecked ragging, and chronic lawlessness at the institution.
Kolkata Law College: Incident Summary
According to the complaint, the student was tricked into entering the college campus after hours under the pretext of a conversation regarding marriage. She was locked inside a guard room and gang-raped for over three hours by three men—one of whom was a former student union leader.
The main accused, Monojit Mishra, 31, had reportedly been suspended in 2017 but continued to wield considerable influence. He was joined by two current students, both of whom were later arrested.
Medical and Police Confirmation
Medical reports confirmed injuries consistent with sexual assault, including multiple bite marks and bruises. All three accused were remanded in police custody till July 1. Police have also initiated digital forensic analysis of the suspects’ phones to check for video evidence, which the survivor alleged was used to threaten her.
A History of Violence and Impunity
The law college, located in south Kolkata, has long been associated with factional political violence, ragging, and staff intimidation. Over the years, several incidents have gone unpunished, allegedly due to political shielding. Highlights include:
- 2017–2022: Student union clashes repeatedly disrupted classes.
- 2021: The principal’s office was ransacked during a student union dispute.
- 2024: Several students faced beatings for protesting extortion during admissions.
- Ragging Complaints: Multiple freshers reported mental and physical harassment.
Despite complaints, administrative responses were either minimal or completely absent, often citing “internal resolution.”
Unofficial Power of Ex-Union Leaders
Though the student union affiliated with a major political party was officially dissolved years ago, its former leaders reportedly retained de facto control over campus operations. Monojit Mishra, although no longer a student, continued to act as a gatekeeper for everything from room allotments to exam hall entries.
This extrajudicial authority was enabled by administrative silence and the absence of formal disciplinary oversight.
Government and Public Response
Following public outrage, the state government condemned the crime and pledged swift action. Education Minister Bratya Basu acknowledged the need for institutional reform and reiterated support for the Aparajita Bill, a long-pending legislative proposal designed to enhance women’s safety across educational campuses in West Bengal.
Simultaneously, student organizations staged large-scale protests outside the college and the local police station, demanding structural reform, transparency, and the permanent removal of politically affiliated personnel from educational governance.
Political Fallout
The incident has sparked fresh confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition. BJP leaders accused the TMC government of creating a “lawless academic environment,” while state ministers shot back, citing immediate arrests and police responsiveness as evidence of good governance.
Meanwhile, activists and civil society have urged all parties to prioritize student welfare over political point-scoring.
Other Campuses Take Preventive Steps
In response to the scandal, several other law colleges in Kolkata have stepped up surveillance and anti-ragging enforcement:
- Jogesh Chandra Choudhury Law College has reinstated CCTV monitoring and restricted non-student entry.
- Surendranath Law College activated its women’s grievance redressal cell and now enforces strict post-class curfews.
- Calcutta University Law Department improved class attendance monitoring and mandated student identity card verification before room entry.
Official Resources and Helplines
To support students facing harassment or violence, the following official services are available:
- UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline: 📞 1800-180-5522
https://www.ugc.ac.in/ragging/ - Ministry of Women and Child Development – For reporting gender-based violence:
https://wcd.nic.in/ - West Bengal Police Complaint Portal:
https://wbpolice.gov.in
The Road Ahead
While arrests have been made, the case has exposed urgent systemic failures in the management and safety protocols at Kolkata Law College. Student unions functioning beyond their mandates, ineffective oversight, and administrative apathy have combined to create a dangerous academic environment.
Legal experts, educationists, and student leaders now call for:
- Independent judicial inquiry into all prior complaints.
- Mandatory audits of all campus security setups.
- Disbanding of unofficial power groups within colleges.
- Swift implementation of the Aparajita Bill.
Conclusion
The horrific incident at Kolkata Law College is not just a standalone tragedy—it is symptomatic of a larger rot that has festered within sections of West Bengal’s academic system. As legal proceedings begin and the state promises reform, students and parents across the region wait for action, not just words.
“A college should be a space of learning—not fear. Justice for the survivor must be followed by justice for all students,” said a protesting third-year student.
Let this moment mark the beginning of meaningful reform.
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