kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata, June 27 –The deeply troubling incident, three men—including two current law students and a former student—have been arrested for allegedly gang-raping a 24-year-old fellow law student within the guardroom of South Calcutta Law College on Wednesday evening. The case has reignited public outcry over women’s safety on educational campuses across the city.

According to the complaint filed with Kasba Police on Thursday, the victim visited the campus around 4 PM for academic purposes. She was reportedly asked by 31‑year‑old Manojit Mishra, a former college student and staff member, to stay back. Between 7:30 PM and 8:50 PM, Mishra allegedly confined her inside the guardroom and, with the assistance of current students Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20), perpetrated the assault.

The victim, after escaping, informed her parents who filed a formal complaint. The trio was arrested on Thursday, produced before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in Alipore, and remanded in police custody for four days for further investigation .

The primary accused, Manojit Mishra, a practicing lawyer and former member of Trinamool Congress’s student wing (TMCP), is believed to have orchestrated the attack with co‑accused Ahmed and Mukhopadhyay, both currently enrolled students.Authorities have seized mobile phones and preserved the crime scene guardroom pending forensic analysis .

This incident comes just 10 months after the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case, intensifying debates on institutional safety and law enforcement efficacy in West Bengal .

Opposition parties, particularly the BJP, have seized on the case to criticize the ruling Trinamool Congress. BJP spokespersons, including Pradeep Bhandari and Amit Malviya, shared images alleging Mishra’s close links with senior TMC leaders—prompting demands for transparency and accountability. BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari also called the incident indicative of a broader culture of impunity under TMC governance .

Conversely, TMCP leaders have stated that if Mishra is indeed involved, they advocate for the strongest legal action. The TMC has expressed condolences and pledged cooperation with investigations. The National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance, seeking a detailed police report within 72 hours .

The campus assault underscores the persistent risks of sexual violence in Kolkata’s educational institutions. The earlier 2024 rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College triggered widespread protests, including a 42‑day doctors’ strike and CBI-led investigation following allegations of police negligence .

This pattern has renewed calls for stronger safety measures—such as anti‑rape legislation, improved campus security, and fast‑track trials, themes echoed in both major cases.

• Police Investigation: Forensic evidence left in the guardroom, including mobile data and medical reports, will shape the inquiry. Authorities will follow legal protocols and submit findings to the court.

• Judicial Process: The accused remain in custody until July 1. Charges under India’s penal code pertaining to gang rape are expected.

• Legislative Attention: Calls are mounting for stricter legal safeguards, including prompt investigations, enhanced security on campuses, and policies aligned with West Bengal's “Aparajita” anti‑rape law .

• Public Sentiment: With public trust in institutional safety shaken, expect heightened media scrutiny and civil society pressure, possibly leading to policy reforms.

The shocking gang rape in a Kolkata law college guardroom has triggered immediate arrests, political confrontation, and renewed debate about campus security. As the judicial process unfolds, public demand for accountability underscores the urgent need for systemic reform to safeguard women in educational settings.