Robin Mishra, father of Monojit Mishra, the main accused in the high-profile Kolkata law college rape case, has described his son as a diligent student whose academic performance enabled him to become an advocate. Speaking to NDTV, Robin Mishra declined to comment on the details of the ongoing case, which has triggered widespread protests, and accused the media of conducting a parallel trial against his son.
A priest at Kolkata’s Kalighat temple, Robin Mishra lives in a modest home and has previously shared that Monojit’s mother suffers from neurological health issues.
Monojit Mishra is accused of sexually assaulting a 24-year-old law student on the college campus where he was employed as contractual staff and was also an alumnus. Formerly, he led the student wing of the Trinamool Congress on campus and was considered highly influential among the student community. Several students have alleged that Monojit repeatedly harassed female students. The Trinamool Congress has since distanced itself from him, stating that he will be dealt with severely regardless of any political affiliation.
Alongside Monojit, two others, Pramit Mukhopadhyay and Zaib Ahmed, have also been arrested and are currently in police custody. Authorities allege that Pramit and Zaib recorded the assault and intended to use the footage to blackmail the survivor.
When questioned about the case, Robin Mishra maintained, “This is a subjudice matter. No citizen who believes in the Constitution should comment on it.” On his family’s background, he said, “We are ordinary, hardworking people.” Responding to reports that his son lived separately, he questioned, “Who said this?”
Expressing faith in the legal process, Mishra said he trusted the country’s Constitution, the administration, and the ongoing investigation. When asked about Monojit’s political ties, he replied, “I do not know.”
Addressing the media directly in Kolkata, he accused them of conducting a “parallel trial,” saying, “If you want to hang him, hang me too.” He added, “Allegations are common in this country, but my son was a good student. That’s why he became an advocate.”
All three accused are now in police custody. The investigation is ongoing, with a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the incident. The college premises have been sealed for forensic examination.
The survivor underwent a medical evaluation at a government hospital, which confirmed signs of violent sexual assault. Injuries included bite marks and abrasions, consistent with her testimony.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been assigned to the case and recently expanded to nine members to speed up the investigation. Key forensic evidence, including DNA and bodily fluid samples, is being analyzed at government laboratories.
