CALCUTTA| 3RD JUNE 2025-The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal government to submit a detailed report on the investigation into the alleged gang rape of a law student at South Kolkata Law College.
A Division Bench comprising Justices Soumen Sen and Smita Das De instructed the State to provide investigation details in a sealed cover.
“We need a report from the State about what steps they have taken after the FIR was filed. We need it in writing… We shall see the progress of the investigation and then pass appropriate orders,” the Court stated.
COURT RAISES QUESTIONS ON CAMPUS SECURITY
The Bench strongly criticized the college administration and State authorities, raising key questions on lapses in security:
Why were staff members present on campus long past official college hours without any official purpose or administrative supervision?
What monitoring or security measures were in place to prevent or detect unauthorized access to sensitive areas?
Why did the college administration and local police fail to act despite alleged prior warnings about threats to the victim?
Why does a reputed law college lack essential surveillance infrastructure, such as CCTV coverage and proper security arrangements, especially amid rising gender-based violence?
The Court also stressed the importance of media caution in reporting the incident to ensure the survivor’s identity remains protected.
CALCUTTA HIGH COURT: PIL FILED SEEKING CBI INVESTIGATION
These issues were highlighted in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Souma Subhra Ray, who sought a CBI probe into the case.
Ray argued:
“It is symptomatic of a wider and systemic collapse in institutional vigilance, campus security, administrative accountability, and police responsiveness.”
However, the Court found defects in the petition and allowed Ray to withdraw it, granting him the liberty to file a fresh plea.
Multiple PILs Questioning Investigation Integrity
Several other PILs have been filed, questioning the integrity of the ongoing investigation and demanding an independent probe.
Senior Advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay, representing the State of West Bengal, pointed out that some media outlets were misusing unrelated images.
“Some other girl’s picture has been shown. It may be assumed that this is the lady [victim],” Bandopadhyay said.
Justice Smita Das De acknowledged this concern, confirming she had also noticed it. The Court once again directed media outlets to avoid revealing the survivor’s identity in any form, including in court documents.
DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT
According to The Indian Express, the alleged gang rape occurred on June 25, when a first-year law student was raped inside the security guard room of South Kolkata Law College.
A medical examination conducted at a state-run hospital corroborated the survivor’s statements, though detailed findings have not been officially disclosed.
Arrests and Accused
As of now, four individuals have been arrested by Kolkata Police:
Manojit Mishra (alleged main perpetrator)
Promit Mukherjee
Zaid Ahmed
The college guard
It is alleged that Mishra raped the student while the other two filmed the act to blackmail her. Mishra is reportedly associated with the Trinamool Congress’s youth wing.
The Kolkata Police have transferred the investigation from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to its Detective Department for further probe.
CONCLUSION
The Calcutta High Court’s intervention highlights serious lapses in campus security and institutional accountability. With multiple PILs and widespread public outcry, the demand for a transparent, independent investigation continues to grow.
