In a deeply disturbing incident that has shocked the city of Kolkata and reignited national outrage over campus safety, a 24-year-old law student was allegedly gang-raped inside her college premises by fellow students and a former student leader with powerful political links. The horrific crime took place late in the evening of June 25, 2025, inside the guards’ quarters of a well-known South Kolkata law college — a place meant to uphold justice ironically becoming the scene of brutal lawlessness.
The Nightmare Unfolds
The victim, known for her academic performance and involvement in student activities, had stayed back on campus that day for extra work and discussions related to student welfare. According to the police, CCTV footage retrieved later revealed that she was approached by Manojit Mishra, a former student union president of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad — the student wing of the ruling party — and two senior students who were well acquainted with her. Manojit, who still wielded influence on campus despite no longer being an enrolled student, is alleged to have convinced the young woman to accompany him to the security guards’ room under a false pretext.
Once inside, the situation took a horrific turn. The victim’s statement to the police describes how she was forcibly restrained, physically overpowered and repeatedly assaulted despite her desperate pleas for mercy. She told investigators that she fell at Manojit’s feet, begging him to let her go, but her pleas were ignored. Instead, the accused turned more violent. Medical reports later confirmed multiple injuries on her body — bite marks, nail scratches, and signs of forceful penetration — all pointing to the sheer brutality of the assault.
A Chilling Digital Trail
What makes the crime even more heinous is that the accused did not stop at physical violation. They allegedly filmed the assault using their mobile phones, creating at least two short video clips of about 90 seconds each. According to investigators, these clips were later found on the phones seized during raids at the accused’s residences. The survivor said she was threatened that these videos would be circulated online if she dared to speak out — an attempt to weaponize public shaming and silence her through fear of humiliation.
However, the survivor, demonstrating extraordinary courage, refused to be silenced. After hours of trauma, she managed to escape the guards’ quarters once her attackers had left her alone. She immediately contacted her family, who rushed her to a hospital. The hospital’s medical staff, shocked by her condition, promptly informed the local police. This call triggered what would become one of Kolkata’s most high-profile investigations in recent years.
CCTV Footage Reveals The Timeline
As the investigation progressed, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under an Assistant Commissioner of Police. Their first priority was to secure the college’s CCTV footage before any evidence could be tampered with. What they uncovered was critical: seven hours of continuous CCTV footage covering the area around the guards’ quarters and other key parts of the campus.
The footage confirmed that the survivor was taken towards the guards’ room around 7:30 PM and remained inside for nearly three hours. Additional cameras captured other suspicious movements by the accused, strengthening the timeline that places them at the scene when the crime was committed. This digital evidence, along with the disturbing clips found on the accused’s phones, will play a key role in court as the prosecution builds its case.
Medical Examination Confirms Brutality
The medical examination provided clear proof supporting the victim’s account. The report confirmed forceful penetration, multiple bruises, scratches, and bite marks, consistent with a prolonged struggle. Forensic experts matched the injuries with the timeline seen in the CCTV footage and the recovered video clips. The survivor’s detailed statement was recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code before a magistrate, giving it strong legal standing.
Her father’s statement has also been added to the case file. Meanwhile, the police have been questioning other students, security guards, and college staff who were present that evening. The focus is on finding out who might have been aware of what was happening and whether anyone turned a blind eye or actively helped the accused cover up their crime.
Accused Held, Political Links Under Scanner
Manojit Mishra, the main accused, was a prominent face on campus during his time as a student leader. His affiliation with the ruling party’s student wing has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil rights groups, who allege that political patronage emboldened him to misuse his power and harass other students with impunity. Reports have emerged that Manojit had a history of intimidating women on campus, though previous complaints were never formally pursued — an issue now at the heart of the scandal.
Along with Manojit, two other senior students have been arrested. All three were initially remanded to police custody and face multiple charges, including gang rape, criminal intimidation, wrongful confinement, and under sections of the IT Act for filming and threatening to distribute explicit content. They remain under tight security as the investigation deepens and public anger grows.
Public Outrage and Demands for Justice
The assault has triggered massive outrage in Kolkata and beyond. Student unions, women’s rights activists, and ordinary citizens have flooded social media with hashtags demanding strict action and permanent safeguards for women on campus. Candlelight vigils and protest marches have been held outside the college gates, calling for accountability from both the college administration and political leaders whose affiliates misuse power to terrorize students.
The National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and has written to the state government demanding updates on the investigation. Opposition leaders have accused the ruling party of fostering a culture of impunity, while the Trinamool Congress has quickly distanced itself from Manojit, declaring that no one involved will be spared, regardless of past affiliations.
College Promises Reforms But Trust Shattered
In response to mounting pressure, the college administration has promised sweeping security reforms, including stricter entry restrictions, improved CCTV coverage, and round-the-clock patrolling in sensitive areas like the guards’ quarters. However, for many students, these assurances ring hollow. Many allege that warnings about Manojit’s behavior were ignored in the past because of his political backing.
The survivor’s courage in speaking out has inspired other students to share stories of harassment, fueling calls for the formation of an independent grievance redressal body that operates without fear or bias. Students are demanding background checks for student leaders, compulsory gender-sensitivity training, and clear protocols for reporting misconduct anonymously without the fear of retaliation.
The Long Fight Ahead
For the survivor and her family, the journey toward justice will be long and emotionally draining. She remains under police protection, as there are concerns that supporters of the accused may attempt to intimidate her or smear her reputation online. Trauma counseling has been arranged to help her cope with the ordeal. Meanwhile, the police continue to strengthen the case by collecting more statements, analyzing digital data, and preparing the chargesheet.
The Kolkata law student’s ordeal stands as a chilling reminder that campuses can become hunting grounds for predators when power and politics collide with institutional apathy. Her bravery in coming forward despite immense social stigma has ensured that the crime did not remain hidden. Her fight now carries the hopes of thousands who dream of campuses that are safe, equal, and truly just.
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Last Updated on: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 6:16 pm by Ventrapati Mahitha | Published by: Ventrapati Mahitha on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 6:16 pm | News Categories: News
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