A young woman pursuing law at a prominent South Kolkata college has alleged that she was gangraped by three men, a former student and two current students, inside the college premises. All three accused, including a local leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), were arrested during a pre-dawn crackdown by Kolkata Police on Friday.
The survivor, in her formal complaint, recounted a harrowing ordeal that unfolded on Wednesday evening, between 7:30 pm and 8:50 pm, within a security guard’s room on the college campus. She was allegedly lured there under the false pretext of being offered the post of General Secretary (GS) of the college's students’ union.
According to her statement, the main accused, Manojit Mishra, a former student and TMC student wing leader, had proposed the idea of her leading the union under the party’s banner. Upon her refusal, she alleged, the situation escalated horrifically. Manojit, she claimed, sexually assaulted her while the two other accused, identified as Zaib Ahmed and Pramit Mukhopadhyay, both third-semester students, stood guard outside the door.
Worse still, the survivor said the act was recorded on video and used to blackmail her. Manojit reportedly threatened to circulate the footage and harm her family and boyfriend unless she complied with his demands. She further alleged that Mishra had previously proposed marriage, which she had declined, a refusal that may have triggered the targeted assault.
Taking swift action based on the FIR (first information report), police arrested Zaib and Pramit late Thursday night near Talbagan Crossing in South Kolkata. Interrogation led to the arrest of Manojit from his residence in the early hours of Friday. Manojit’s social media accounts revealed his open affiliation with the TMC’s student wing and leaders of Bengal’s ruling party.
The mobile phones of all three accused have been seized for forensic examination. A forensic team has also inspected the crime scene, collecting crucial samples. The area has been sealed off for further investigation. Meanwhile, the victim underwent medical tests at Chittaranjan National Medical College and Hospital and gave her statement to the police.
Also read: NCW condemns WB gang-rape incident, demands swift probe
The trio was produced before the Alipore court on Friday, where police sought a 14-day remand. The court remanded all three accused to police custody until July 1.
TMC minister Shashi Panja issued a strong condemnation of the incident, stating, “The police acted without delay and arrested all the accused. We will ensure the severest punishment under the law.”
However, the Bharatiya Janata Party seized the opportunity to lash out at the state government. “This incident mirrors the collapse of law and order under Mamata Banerjee’s regime. After the RG Kar rape and murder case, Kolkata witnesses another unspeakable crime. The Chief Minister must resign,” said Sukanta Majumdar, BJP state president.
The shocking crime sparked protests outside the college, with student wings of the Congress and Left Front taking to the streets. Their demonstrations caused significant traffic snarls in the area. Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were deployed to disperse the agitators and restore order.
The National Commission of Women has strongly condemned the brutal gang-rape of a college girl in the South of Kolkata city in West Bengal and sought a swift, time-bound enquiry into the incident.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident. The NCW wrote to the Kolkata Police chief on Friday, expressing concern over the gang-rape of the college student in the city and telling officials to conduct an immediate and time-bound probe into the matter. "NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, expressing deep concern and directing immediate, time-bound investigation under relevant provisions of BNS", said the Commission statement.
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