A 24-year-old law student was allegedly gang-raped inside the premises of South Calcutta Law College on the evening of June 25, sparking widespread outrage across Kolkata.

The incident reportedly took place while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was inaugurating the Rath Yatra festivities in Digha.

According to the survivor’s complaint, the alleged assault occurred inside the guard room of the college, just 250 meters from the Kashba police station. Former Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) leader Monojit Mishra, a temporary employee of the college, and two of his associates—identified as students Zaib Ahmed and Pramit Mukhopadhyay—have been named as the prime accused.

All three, along with a security guard, have been arrested. Police said the trio has been remanded to custody until July 1.

The incident has drawn comparisons to the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate medical student at R.G. Kar Medical College in August 2024, a case that remains unresolved.

Also read: Law Student Gang-Raped at Kolkata College; TMC Leader Among 3 Arrested

In her statement to the police, the survivor recounted how she was lured into the student union room by Mishra under the pretext of a discussion, before being forcibly confined and later attacked.

She said Mishra proposed marriage to her, which she rejected, citing an existing relationship. The situation escalated when the other accused locked the door and confined her inside.

She told police that after suffering a panic attack, she requested an inhaler and tried to escape. However, she was overpowered and taken to the security guard’s room, where the main gate had been locked. The guard was ordered to wait outside, she alleged.

“I fought back and pleaded with Monojit to let me go. I even touched his feet, but he refused,” she said.

She accused Mishra of raping her while the other two watched, adding that she was beaten with a hockey stick and blackmailed with recorded videos of the assault.

Fearing for her safety and her family, the student initially remained silent but later filed a complaint.

“As a law student, I want justice,” she told investigators.

The accused have been charged with gang rape, wrongful confinement, and criminal intimidation.

Mishra, 31, had been appointed to the college a few months ago on the recommendation of the governing body.

He is also a practicing lawyer at the Alipore court and reportedly has close ties with several leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress, including party general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee, and state health minister Chandrima Bhattacharya. TMC MLA Ashoke Deb serves as chairman of the college's governing body.

Public anger erupted after news of the crime spread. On Friday, members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), and All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) held a protest outside South Calcutta Law College.

Protesters tore down images of Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee at the college gate and later marched to the Kashba police station.

The protest turned violent when police allegedly used force to disperse the demonstrators.

Several activists, including women, were reportedly injured in the baton charge. Medical professionals from Abhaya Mancha, a group formed after the 2024 R.G. Kar Hospital rape case, set up a clinic on-site to treat the injured.

DYFI state secretary Dhrubajyoti Saha and other leaders were detained and taken to Lalbazar and Kashba police lock-ups. The incident has led to fresh allegations of administrative complicity and attempts to shield those connected to the ruling party.

CPI(M) state secretary Mohammad Salim condemned the incident, calling it another dark mark on the state's law and order under the TMC government.

“This horrific crime, allegedly committed by a former TMCP leader, reflects the culture of impunity fostered under Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee’s leadership,” he said, urging all democratic forces to rise in protest.

As the investigation continues, the Kolkata Police has urged the public not to circulate unverified information.

But the chilling details of the crime and the government’s silence have raised serious questions about women’s safety and political accountability in West Bengal.