Kolkata, India – July 4, 2025: The arrest of Monojit Mishra, a former student leader and contractual staff member at South Calcutta Law College, in the alleged gang rape of a 24-year-old law student has shocked India and revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse spanning over a decade. The incident, which took place on June 25, 2025, has sparked outrage, protests, and calls for justice across the country.
The Incident
On the evening of June 25, a first-year law student at South Calcutta Law College in Kolkata’s Kasba area was allegedly gang-raped by three individuals inside the college premises. The main accused, Monojit Mishra, 31, a former student and member of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), a student wing of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, is said to have orchestrated the assault. Two current students, Zaib Ahmed, 19, and Pramit Mukherjee, 20, along with a college security guard, Pinaki Banerjee, 55, were also arrested in connection with the crime.
According to the survivor’s complaint, she was forcibly taken to the security guard’s room, where she was assaulted for over three hours. The perpetrators allegedly recorded the assault and threatened to share the footage to silence her. The survivor reported being beaten with a hockey stick and suffering a panic attack during the ordeal. Medical reports confirmed signs of forceful penetration, bite marks, and scratches on her body, supporting her allegations.
Monojit Mishra’s History of Abuse
The arrest of Mishra, known on campus as “Mango,” has brought to light a long history of troubling behavior. Students and college insiders have described him as a dominant figure who instilled fear in the college community. Over the past 10 years, Mishra allegedly harassed female students, body-shamed women, circulated morphed images, and filmed private moments without consent. He is also accused of threatening teachers who questioned his irregular attendance and behavior, and attacking a security guard.
Reports indicate that multiple complaints of harassment, vandalism, and even extortion were lodged against Mishra, but no significant action was taken by the college or authorities. In April 2025, Mishra was granted bail after allegedly assaulting a police officer, highlighting his ability to evade serious consequences, possibly due to his political connections.
Students have claimed that Mishra’s influence stemmed from his role in the TMCP, which gave him control over student activities and college WhatsApp groups. Female students were particularly wary of him, with some avoiding classes when he was present on campus after his return as a contractual staff member in mid-2024.
Investigation and College Response
Kolkata Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. On July 4, 2025, the four accused were taken to the college for a crime scene reconstruction to gather further evidence. CCTV footage reportedly shows the survivor being dragged from the college gate to the premises, corroborating her account. A 90-second video clip of the assault was recovered from Mishra’s phone, and police are investigating a stain found on a bedsheet in the guard’s room for potential connections to the crime.
The college authorities acted swiftly after the incident, holding a general body meeting on July 1 and permanently barring Mishra, Ahmed, and Mukherjee from the institution. Mishra was dismissed from his role as a contractual staff member, and the two students were expelled. The college’s vice-principal, Dr. Nayna Chatterji, stated that stricter security measures, including mandatory identity card checks, would be enforced to prevent unauthorized access to the campus.
Political and Social Fallout
The case has ignited a political firestorm in West Bengal. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the TMC government of protecting Mishra due to his past association with the party’s student wing. BJP leaders, including a fact-finding team that visited the college, have criticized the state’s handling of sexual assault cases. The TMC has distanced itself from Mishra, noting that he was removed from the TMCP in 2021.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has demanded a time-bound investigation and faced challenges in meeting the survivor and her family, alleging interference by the Kolkata Police. Students from South Calcutta Law College and other institutions have staged protests, demanding justice for the survivor and stricter measures to ensure campus safety.
A Call for Accountability
The case has raised serious questions about the culture of impunity in educational institutions and the failure to address complaints against influential figures like Mishra. Students and faculty have voiced their frustration over the lack of action against his prior misconduct, which they believe enabled the recent crime.
As the investigation continues, the Kolkata gang rape case serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust systems to protect students and address harassment complaints promptly. The survivor’s courage in coming forward has sparked a broader conversation about safety, accountability, and justice in India’s educational institutions.
For further details, contact the Kolkata Police or visit the official website of South Calcutta Law College.
