a day ago
Kolkata: Law Student Gang-Raped in College, TMC Leader Among Arrested
Kolkata: Protests have erupted after news broke that a law student was allegedly gang-raped at her college in south Kolkata earlier this week.
Less than a year ago, a trainee doctor was raped and killed at her place of work and study in the city, the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, in an incident that led to statewide protests and nationwide outrage.
The complaint alleges that the gang-rape took place on the evening of June 25.
Three men – two currently enrolled – have been arrested and remanded to five days of police custody.
The main accused, a college staffer Manojit Mishra, is a former student of the South Calcutta Law College and a leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress's student wing. Mishra's social media indicates that he is close to TMC's national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee. The college, at the time of reporting, has a giant poster of Banerjee at its gate.
Manojit Mishra with Abhishek Banerjee. Photo: By arrangement.
Local media has reported that Mishra has been named in 20-30 complaints, some accusing him of sexual harassment, before this.
The National Commission for Women wrote to the Kolkata Police chief today on the crime, it is reported.
The TMC has posted on its X handle that it "unequivocally" condemns the incident.
Kolkata Police have swiftly apprehended all three accused, and the full weight of the law will be brought to bear, ensuring the most severe measures are imposed on those found guilty."
It has blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the centre for not implementing the "Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill" that the state government brought, which calls for the death penalty for rape accused.
"Our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the profound trauma endured by the victim. The State Administration, under Hon'ble Chief Minister Smt. [Mamata Banerjee], is committed to providing every possible form of support and assistance to the victim during this distressing time. Justice will be served," the TMC wrote.
Local leaders of opposition parties Bharatiya Janata Party and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have demonstrated in front of the local police station at Kasba. Protests are also taking place at the college premises.
