kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata is once again in turmoil as another student steps forward, alleging molestation by Monojit “Mango” Mishra — the main accused in the gang-rape of a first-year student at South Calcutta Law College. The fresh accusations expose a disturbing pattern of unchecked aggression, institutional failure, and alleged political protection within the campus.

In an emotional telephonic interview with India Today, a second-year student recounted a harrowing incident in October 2023 during a college gathering. Stepping into a quieter room to take a call, she alleges Mishra, who was heavily intoxicated and high on cannabis, locked the door behind her. She says he dragged her hair, began undressing her, and dared her to scream louder. The assault ended abruptly only when a senior student knocked persistently, prompting Mishra to flee.

“I saw a vacant room... he pulled me by my hair and started undressing me,” she recalled, adding that he threatened to kill her family if she reported him. Her silence until now, she explains, stemmed from fear of his political connections—particularly his ties to TMC MLA Ashok Kumar Deb — a connection she claims deterred police action even after prior complaints.

Mishra, a 31-year-old former TMCP leader, is now at the center of an expanding criminal saga. Records reveal at least 11 FIRs against him — including multiple molestation, harassment, and assault cases — yet no substantial action was taken. Former classmates have described him as a campus “demi‑god” who exerted undue control, reportedly accessing student data, extorting juniors, and orchestrating intimidation through informal union influence.

Following the June 25 assault, police evidence uncovered corroborating proof: CCTV footage shows the first-year victim being dragged into the guard’s room, medical examinations revealed bite marks and scratch injuries, and forensic analysis recovered clipping, hair strands, and a hockey stick used during the crime . The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has now expanded to nine members to aid the investigation .

In response to mounting outrage, South Calcutta Law College expelled Mishra, along with two student accomplices, Zaib Ahmed and Pramit Mukherjee. The college has also terminated Mishra’s contract and initiated proceedings to revoke his Bar Council membership. A security guard connected to the case has been arrested as well.

The incident has reignited scrutiny of the TMC. Opposition parties, led by the BJP, are accusing the state government of sheltering perpetrators with political ties. The TMC denies involvement, stating that Mishra had ceased being a member of their student wing since 2022.

The emergence of this second survivor's account exposes a campus where political influence and predatory behavior went unchecked for years. It reveals a stark failure of governance, where student security was overshadowed by fear and silence. Now, Kolkata stands at a critical juncture: will this case be a catalyst for real reform — stronger campus safety protocols, transparent union management, and impartial legal oversight — or will it fade amidst political blame?