Kolkata Engulfed in Outcry as Law Student Rape Case Reignites Debate on Women’s Safety and Government Efficacy
KOLKATA, India – June 29, 2025 – Kolkata is once again grappling with widespread outrage following the alleged gang rape of a 24-year-old law student inside the South Calcutta Law College campus on June 25th. The harrowing incident has not only led to swift arrests but has also reignited intense political debate and public scrutiny over women’s safety in West Bengal and the state government’s handling of such heinous crimes, drawing parallels to a similar high-profile case from last year at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Law Student Rape Case: Allegations, Arrests, and Evidence
According to reports, the first-year law student was allegedly gang-raped by three individuals – prime accused Manojit Mishra (an alumnus and ad-hoc college employee), and two current students, Promit Mukherjee and Zaid Ahmed – in the college’s guard room. A fourth individual, security guard Pinaki Banerjee, has also been arrested for alleged negligence and complicity.
Medical reports have reportedly confirmed forceful penetration, along with bite marks and scratches on the survivor’s body. Kolkata Police have formed a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. Crucial CCTV footage, spanning over seven hours, has been secured, allegedly showing the victim being forcibly taken into the guard’s room and corroborating her allegations. Investigators have also reportedly recovered 90-second video clips of the assault from the accused’s mobile phones, which the survivor alleged were used to blackmail her. Police suspect a rejected marriage proposal from the prime accused as a potential motive. Disturbingly, reports suggest that Manojit Mishra had a history of alleged sexual aggression and harassment, with past complaints against him that reportedly saw no significant action.
Political Firestorm and Accusations of Inefficiency
The incident has immediately spiraled into a major political controversy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. BJP leaders, including state unit chief Sukanta Majumdar (who was detained during a protest march), have accused the state administration of failing to ensure campus safety and demanded Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed the incident was “state-sponsored” and highlighted alleged ties between the main accused, Manojit Mishra, and the TMC’s student wing. The BJP has formed a four-member committee to investigate the matter independently.
Adding fuel to the fire, controversial statements from some TMC leaders have drawn sharp criticism. While the TMC has acknowledged the arrests and swift police action, it has largely distanced itself from the controversial remarks by its leaders and the alleged links of the accused to the party, stating that legal action will take its course.
Echoes of the RG Kar Medical College Case
The ongoing outcry is amplified by memories of the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024. That case, which initially saw attempts by hospital authorities to portray it as a suicide, a delayed FIR, and widespread protests, ultimately led to the Supreme Court taking suo motu cognizance and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) taking over the probe. The father of the RG Kar victim has publicly expressed frustration and disappointment over the recurring incidents of violence, asserting that the government has a significant role in preventing such crimes and ensuring severe punishment for the accused.
Critics argue that the similarities between these high-profile cases, particularly regarding the alleged initial mishandling or perceived leniency towards powerful individuals, point to systemic issues within the state’s law and order machinery. The recurring nature of such grave incidents, despite assurances, continues to be a profound concern for citizens and a significant challenge for the state government.