Kolkata Police have arrested a fourth accused in the alleged gang rape case at South Calcutta Law College, bringing the total number of arrests to four. The latest to be taken into custody is the college’s security guard, who was arrested on Sunday. The crime, which took place inside the guard’s room on campus on June 25, has triggered widespread outrage.
In addition, the prime accused, Monojit Misra, has had past criminal records too. Misra has had at least cases registered against him, including attempt to murder, sexual assault and extortion, an IE report showed.
The Incident
On June 25, a female student of South Calcutta Law College filed a complaint alleging she was raped by two senior students and an alumnus of the institution. The incident reportedly took place inside the guard’s room on campus.
A team from the NCW, headed by Dr. Archana Majumdar, visited the college to gather details and meet with officials, students, and the victim. The Commission has expressed serious concern over the lack of campus security.
Five-Member SIT Formed
In response to growing public and political pressure, Kolkata Police have constituted a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by an officer of Assistant Commissioner rank, to probe the incident.
On Monday, a team from the National Commission for Women (NCW), led by Dr. Archana Majumdar, visited the college campus to assess the situation and meet with stakeholders.
Tensions escalated further when police halted a BJP protest march to the college, detaining West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar and several other party leaders. The BJP has sharply criticised the state government, accusing it of failing to ensure safety on campuses and demanding immediate action.
In a parallel move, BJP national president JP Nadda has constituted a four-member fact-finding committee to visit West Bengal and submit a report on the incident. The delegation includes MPs Biplab Kumar Deb and Manan Kumar Mishra, along with former parliamentarians Satyapal Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi, party spokesperson Sambit Patra confirmed.
Prime Accused A Serial Offender
According to his social media profiles, Misra has been leading the college unit of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, the student wing of West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress since 2017. However, in the wake of nationwide outrage over the gang rape case, the Trinamool Congress has distanced itself from Misra, claiming he has no official links with the party and should be subjected to the strictest legal action.
Students of South Calcutta Law College describe Misra nicknamed “Mango” by his peers as a powerful figure on campus. His influence, they allege, was so pervasive that even faculty and administrative staff were reluctant to challenge him. Reports suggest that several complaints of harassment and molestation had previously been filed against him, but no disciplinary or legal action was ever taken, raising serious questions about the college administration’s inaction.
College students told The Times of India that Monojit would click pictures of female students, morph them and circulate them on WhatsApp groups.
Political Reactions
The BJP has accused the West Bengal government of failing to ensure the safety of students. A protest march led by the party was stopped by police, and several leaders including West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar—were detained.
BJP national president JP Nadda has formed a four-member fact-finding committee, comprising MPs Biplab Kumar Deb and Manan Kumar Mishra, and former MPs Satyapal Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi, to investigate the case and submit a report
One Year After The RG Kar Rape Case
The horrifying case came just a a year after the RG Medical College rape case where a student was brutally raped and murdered.
In August 2024, the nation was shocked after the gruesome rape-murder of a 31-year-old resident doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
In January 2025, a trial court sentenced accused Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment. However, the parents of the deceased doctor filed a fresh plea before the High Court demanded another investigation into the case.
