A disturbing incident of gang-rape involving a 24-year-old female law student has been reported at South Calcutta Law College in Kolkata. The alleged crime occurred on June 25 and has sparked public outrage after CCTV footage appeared to validate the survivor’s account.
According to police officials, surveillance video shows the young woman being forcibly pulled from the college gate and taken inside the campus. The main accused, Manojit Mishra, a former student and ex-leader of a student political group, is seen in the footage dragging the victim while two current students, Pramit Mukherjee and Zaib Ahmed, appear to block the entrance, allegedly acting as lookouts.
Investigators say the woman was taken into the college security guard’s room, where the assault reportedly took place. Shockingly, the on-duty guard, Pinaki Banerjee, witnessed the incident but failed to intervene. He was later arrested for his role and for giving conflicting information to investigators.
CCTV and Forensic Evidence Support Allegations
The Kolkata Police have reviewed nearly seven hours of security footage from various parts of the college, including the gate, campus pathways, washrooms, union room, and the guard’s room. The footage reportedly shows the movements of all four suspects and the victim.
Police also recovered several pieces of physical evidence from the crime scene, including:
Strands of hair
Empty liquor bottles
A hockey stick
Other objects indicating signs of a struggle
In addition, a video clip—approximately 90 seconds long—was retrieved from a mobile phone belonging to one of the accused. Investigators suspect it was recorded during the assault and may have been used to intimidate or blackmail the survivor.
Medical Examination Confirms Sexual Assault
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.
Based on these findings, police have charged the accused under India’s gang-rape laws, which carry a minimum 20-year prison sentence and could lead to life imprisonment.
Arrests and Legal Developments
Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the case:
Manojit Mishra – Former student and alleged ringleader
Pramit Mukherjee – Current student
Zaib Ahmed – Current student
Pinaki Banerjee – College security guard
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.
Campus Response and Political Fallout
Following the assault, college authorities have suspended all academic activity and closed down access to key areas of the campus, including the union room, washroom, and security room. These areas have been sealed to preserve evidence.
The incident has triggered a strong reaction from both civil society and political leaders:
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has demanded a detailed investigation report and medical findings within three days.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar criticized the state government for what he described as a failure to ensure student safety, referencing other recent cases in West Bengal.
A BJP fact-finding team also visited the campus and met with law enforcement officials.
Public Demands for Accountability
This case has reignited serious concerns about student safety on educational campuses in Kolkata and the responsibilities of college authorities and law enforcement. While arrests have been made and evidence continues to be analyzed, the survivor and the public await swift and firm justice.
