Kolkata Gangrape Case, In a deeply disturbing case that has rocked Kolkata and shocked the nation, 24-year-old law student was allegedly gang-raped inside the premises of South Calcutta Law College on June 25. The main accused, Monojit Mishra, along with his associates Zaib Ahmed and Pramit Mukhopadhyay, has been remanded to police custody till July 1. But as horrifying as the act itself is, what’s equally troubling is the trail of unchecked predatory behavior and systemic silence that led to this tragedy.
According to a damning Times of India report, Monojit Mishra had been harassing female students for years, exhibiting patterns of sexual misconduct that went ignored even protected by college authorities and political circles.
Students Say the Warnings Were Loud and Clear
Kolkata Gangrape Case, Former classmates and juniors of Monojit Mishra have now come forward, revealing a chilling pattern of abuse and intimidation that spanned years. Reports suggest that Mishra had been involved in:
- Morphing and circulating private photos of female students
- Secretly recording intimate encounters and sharing videos
- Body-shaming and verbally abusing female classmates
- Repeatedly stalking and harassing women on campus
Despite formal complaints filed with faculty, particularly with the teacher-in-charge, no meaningful action was taken.
Authorities knew everything but protected him. We even filed a formal sexual harassment complaint, but nothing happened, a third-year student revealed to TOI.
This blatant inaction has now come under scrutiny as more details emerge about how long Mishra operated unchecked, reportedly under the patronage of powerful student union members.
Toxic Culture Inside Campus Politics
Kolkata Gangrape Case, Mishra was previously expelled from the college’s Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) unit in 2021, but that did little to curb his influence. Students allege that those affiliated with the student union enjoyed impunity, often misusing their power to bully, harass, and intimidate.
A female junior told TOI:
Those attached to the union had a license to do anything. Posting obscene jokes and photos in WhatsApp groups was normal. We stayed silent out of fear.
This toxic mix of student politics and administrative apathy created an environment where victims were silenced, and predators emboldened.
The June 25 Incident
Kolkata Gangrape Case, The breaking point came on June 25, when a 24-year-old woman was reportedly gang-raped within the college premises in Kolkata’s Kasba area. Kolkata Gangrape Case, This horrifying crime not only shattered the victim’s life but also ripped the veil off a deeply embedded culture of abuse.
Following swift police action, Mishra and his accomplices were arrested. A five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has now been formed to ensure a fair and thorough investigation.
But questions still remain why was this allowed to happen? Could it have been prevented if earlier complaints had been taken seriously?
A Pattern Across India?
Unfortunately, the events unfolding at South Calcutta Law College aren’t isolated. Across India, educational institutions meant to be safe spaces have often failed in addressing sexual harassment. Many colleges have under-functioning or entirely absent Internal Complaints Committees (ICC), mandated by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
In this case, despite multiple red flags and complaints, neither the ICC nor the administration acted decisively.
This is not just a failure of the college administration it’s a collective failure of governance, societal norms, and student leadership.
What Needs to Change
To ensure such atrocities are never repeated, several urgent measures must be implemented:
- Mandatory Functioning ICCs: Every college must have a visible, functional Internal Complaints Committee, regularly monitored for action taken on complaints.
- Zero Tolerance Policy: Political affiliations or student union membership should never shield someone from criminal scrutiny.
- Safe Reporting Channels: Students especially women need anonymous and safe channels to report harassment without fear of retaliation.
- Strict Monitoring: Colleges must be periodically audited for their response to harassment complaints, with consequences for inaction.
- Student Sensitization: Workshops and seminars on consent, gender sensitivity, and bystander intervention should be made mandatory.
Institutional Betrayal
Kolkata Gangrape Case, For many students, a college is not just a place of education it’s a second home. When those entrusted with their safety turn a blind eye to abuse, it sends a chilling message: predators will be shielded, and victims will be silenced. This betrayal by the institution doesn’t just damage reputations; it shatters lives and trust. Kolkata Gangrape Case, The inaction in Monojit Mishra’s case is not just negligence it’s complicity.
When Silence Kills, Speaking Up Saves Lives
Kolkata Gangrape Case, The horrific gang rape in Kolkata is a brutal reminder that the failure to act on early warning signs has real, devastating consequences. Monojit Mishra wasn’t a predator in hiding—he was a known threat, protected by silence, negligence, and misplaced loyalties.
It’s time to dismantle the culture of impunity that prevails in many educational institutions. The courage shown by students who are now speaking up must be met with action not just outrage.
Let this case be the last of its kind not the latest in a long list of ignored cries for help.
For the full scoop and in-depth analysis, read the complete report on Kolkata Gangrape Case The Times of India
