Law Student’s Gangrape at Calcutta Law College Exposes Shocking Failures

Prime Accused Had History of Sexual Misconduct; CCTV Confirms Assault as Political, Institutional Lapses Come to Light

Kolkata — Alarming revelations have emerged surrounding the gangrape of a 24-year-old law student at South Calcutta Law College, shedding light on a series of systemic failures, prior warnings, and disturbing details about the main accused, Manojit Mishra. The brutal assault, which took place on the evening of June 25 within the college campus, has triggered outrage, political blame games, and calls for institutional accountability.

According to local media and police sources, Manojit Mishra — known by his nickname “Mango” — was notorious among students for his predatory behaviour. Several classmates and juniors have now come forward to allege that Mishra frequently harassed female students, proposed marriage to almost every woman he interacted with, and circulated morphed images of women via social media. Many girls had filed informal complaints with the college authorities, but no concrete action was taken.

Mishra, originally from Howrah, was reportedly expelled from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) student wing in 2021 following allegations of sexual misconduct. Despite this, he retained significant influence within the college, frequently accessed private student WhatsApp groups, and was known to show off CCTV footage from the campus on his phone, suggesting improper access to surveillance systems. Disturbingly, he had allegedly proposed marriage to the very student he later brutalised, harassing her for days prior to the incident.

Police officials confirmed that the assault took place in multiple locations within the campus — the student union room, a toilet, and the security guards’ quarters. CCTV footage retrieved from 3:30 p.m. to 10:50 p.m. on June 25 clearly shows the sequence of events, including the victim being forcibly taken to the guard’s room where the attack occurred. An investigating officer stated, “The video footage supports the survivor’s statement. We see the movements of the accused, the victim, and the college guard.”

Four individuals have been arrested so far — prime suspect Manojit Mishra, current students Pratim Mukherjee and Zaib Ahmed, and security guard Pinaki Banerjee. According to the police, Banerjee failed to protect the student and instead abandoned his post, allowing the perpetrators to drag the victim into his quarters. Forensic evidence from all three crime scenes — including hair strands, liquid-filled containers, and a hockey stick used to threaten the victim — is currently under examination.

A 1.5-minute video allegedly recorded by Mishra on his phone is also being forensically analysed. Investigators are trying to determine whether it was shared or deleted, raising further concerns about digital privacy and cyber abuse.

According to the victim’s testimony, she was assaulted after rejecting Mishra’s repeated marriage proposals. She reportedly told the accused that she was in a committed relationship and would not betray her boyfriend’s trust. In retaliation, the trio threatened to harm her partner and make false accusations against her family.

Medical tests conducted at a government hospital have confirmed the survivor’s account of sexual assault. Meanwhile, a special five-member police investigation team, led by Assistant Commissioner Pradip Ghosal, has been formed to probe the case. Confidential statements are being recorded from the victim and her family under strict protection.

The crime has stirred political tensions in West Bengal. While student activists and women’s rights groups demand immediate justice, questions are being raised over how someone with such a history of harassment was allowed to remain so active on campus. Many faculty members expressed their frustration with the college’s governing body, claiming that prior complaints were either ignored or brushed under the carpet.

Students protesting the incident have highlighted the broader culture of impunity that emboldened the accused. One anonymous student revealed, “When we protested the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital last year, Manojit threatened us. He even beat up some students. Yet he remained untouchable.”

As more voices emerge against the accused and his enablers, the horrifying incident has exposed the rot within the college’s administrative and security systems. Activists are urging not just punishment for the perpetrators but also accountability from those in power who allowed this culture of intimidation and abuse to persist.

With legal proceedings underway, the case is now a grim reminder of how unchecked harassment, political shielding, and institutional apathy can together pave the way for such heinous crimes. As investigators continue their work, all eyes remain on whether the legal and academic systems will ensure justice not just for this victim, but also for those silenced before her.