BJP Demands Justice in South Calcutta Law College Gangrape Case

Fact-finding team slams Mamata Banerjee’s government over rising crimes against women; vows to pursue justice till culprits are punished

Kolkata : Amid mounting outrage over the alleged gangrape of a law student on June 25 at South Calcutta Law College, senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has vowed to pursue justice until all the perpetrators are punished. Adhikari made the statement after meeting a four-member BJP fact-finding team that arrived in Kolkata to assess the situation and meet officials investigating the case.

The BJP team—comprising former Union ministers Satpal Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi, Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra, and Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb—visited the city on Monday and held discussions with senior police officers. The team also assessed the ongoing probe and visited the crime scene at the college campus in the Kasba area.

Adhikari took to social media to express his outrage. “This meeting underlines our determination to address the total failure of law and order in West Bengal under Mamata Banerjee’s inept rule. There can be no compromise on the safety of our daughters, and we will continue this fight until justice is delivered,” he wrote.

At a press briefing, Satpal Singh alleged that crimes against women in West Bengal have become a “pattern.” He pointedly criticized the Trinamool Congress government, saying, “Despite having a woman as the Chief Minister, crimes against women are increasing. Our presence here is not just to expedite this particular case, but to send a strong message that the BJP and the citizens of India stand with the women of West Bengal.”

Singh also raised questions over the law college’s admission process, asking how an individual with four prior criminal cases gained admission. He accused the authorities of suppressing cases and failing to register FIRs in numerous incidents involving crimes against women.

Meenakshi Lekhi echoed these concerns, questioning the silence of the ruling TMC. “Why is a government led by a woman silent when women are being assaulted? What message does this send to the victims and their families?”

Manan Kumar Mishra alleged that the state government, police, and investigating agencies were complicit through their failures. “The main accused in this case has a criminal record and clear links to the TMC. He’s been arrested four times before. Why was such a person working in an academic institution?”

Biplab Kumar Deb directly criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “She should be ashamed that opposition leaders have to step in to demand justice. Why did the law college employ a person with a criminal background? What message does that send to the students and society?”

The incident, which took place on June 25 inside the South Calcutta Law College, triggered widespread public anger. The student was allegedly gangraped within the campus premises. On Monday, the Kolkata Police confirmed that three of the accused named in the FIR were arrested within 12 hours of the incident. A fourth suspect was later apprehended based on additional evidence gathered during the probe.

While the police claim the investigation is progressing swiftly, opposition leaders remain unconvinced, arguing that systemic failures and political shielding have emboldened perpetrators. The BJP fact-finding team is expected to submit its report to the party leadership in New Delhi, with further protests and parliamentary questions likely in the coming days.

The case has added fresh fuel to the debate around women’s safety in West Bengal and may deepen political fault lines ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.