Kolkata, June 27, 2025 —A 24-year-old student was allegedly raped inside a law college in Kolkata earlier this week, prompting swift police action and igniting political outrage.
Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the case: Manojit Mishra (31), a former student currently working at the college on contract; Zaib Ahmed (19); and Pramit Mukherjee (20), both of whom are students at the institution. Mishra, the main accused, was previously affiliated with the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMC’s student wing), though the party now claims he no longer has ties with them.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on Wednesday when the young woman visited the students’ union room around 4 pm. She was then allegedly taken to a separate room, locked inside, and sexually assaulted. Mishra is said to have carried out the assault, while the other two reportedly stood guard outside.
The woman later confided in her family, who encouraged her to file a police complaint. The FIR includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for wrongful confinement, gangrape, and shared criminal intent.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Rupesh Kumar, confirmed that Mishra and Ahmed were arrested on Thursday, and Mukherjee was taken into custody shortly after midnight on Friday. The police have confiscated the phones of the accused and secured the crime scene for forensic analysis.
Preliminary medical examinations have been conducted, and statements from several witnesses have been recorded. The accused were presented in court and have been remanded to police custody until July 1.
Mishra’s lawyer has denied the allegations, suggesting his client is being targeted due to political rivalry.
Kolkata Police, in a statement, urged the public and media to refrain from spreading unverified or speculative content that could harm the investigation or the dignity of those involved. They emphasized that swift action was taken, with arrests made within 12 hours of the complaint.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken notice of the case. Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the city’s police commissioner, urging a prompt and thorough investigation. The Commission also called for full support—medical, legal, and psychological—for the victim and has requested a detailed report within three days.
The incident has sparked significant political tension. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) condemned the crime, promising strict legal action and advocating for the implementation of the Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill to enable faster investigations and tougher punishment for sexual crimes.
Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari criticized the state government, accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of mismanaging law enforcement priorities, referencing a police deployment in Digha during the time of the incident.
