The recent alleged gangrape of a law student within the premises of South Kolkata Law College has sent shockwaves through the city, with police now confirming that the horrific act was premeditated. Investigations reveal a disturbing pattern of behavior by the accused trio, who reportedly have a history of sexually harassing students.
The Horrific Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The incident, which allegedly took place on June 25, involved a female student who was reportedly gangraped by three individuals, including an alumnus of the institution, Manojit Mishra, and two current students, Promit Mukherjee and Zaid Ahmed. A college security guard was also apprehended in connection with the case. Following the victim's complaint, the Kolkata Police swiftly formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
Police Uncover Premeditation and Prior History
According to police sources, the accused trio meticulously planned the assault over several days, specifically targeting the victim from the very day she enrolled in the college. Even more alarming are the findings that suggest Manojit Mishra, Promit Mukherjee, and Zaid Ahmed had a documented history of sexually harassing other female students at the same college. The SIT has learned that the trio would allegedly record such instances on their mobile phones and subsequently use the footage to blackmail their victims.
Searches conducted at the residences of Mukherjee and Ahmed aimed to uncover additional footage related to this and potentially other incidents. Investigators are also working to determine if a video clip of the June 25 assault was shared with other groups or individuals.
Legal and Social Repercussions
The gravity of the incident has led to significant legal and social repercussions. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Calcutta High Court, seeking the transfer of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for an impartial investigation. The petitioner highlighted Manojit Mishra's alleged close ties with the ruling party in the state, raising concerns about the fairness of the ongoing police inquiry.
Beyond the ongoing investigation, there are calls for increased security measures in educational institutions across West Bengal, with suggestions to appoint women civic volunteers for the safety of girl students. The incident has ignited widespread protests and drawn sharp condemnation from political leaders across party lines.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the survivor and implementing stringent measures to prevent such heinous acts from recurring in educational environments