Kolkata Erupts in Protest Over Law College Gang Rape; NCW Flags Police Inaction, SIT Expanded

By A Staff Reporter

Kolkata: Public outrage over the gang rape of a law student in South Calcutta Law College escalated on Sunday, June 29, as people from all walks of life took to the streets across the city. What began as protests outside the college and the Kasba Police Station, where the FIR was registered, soon spread to other areas, including Jadavpur, Rashbehari, and Hazra.

Among the protesters were students, senior citizens, and members of Abhaya Mancha, a group formed after the 2024 rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College. Their presence added emotional and symbolic weight to Sunday’s protests, which many compared to the large-scale demonstrations held after the 2024 incident.

Meanwhile, authorities confirmed that the medico-legal examination and the survivor's statement under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) had been completed. The Kolkata Police also expanded the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case from six to nine officers.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) further intensified the spotlight on the case. NCW member Dr. Archana Majumdar, who visited the college earlier in the day, alleged that she was denied full access to the site and was not informed of the survivor’s whereabouts. "The police couldn't tell me where the victim was. Her house was found locked, and I wasn’t allowed to photograph the college rooms where the incident reportedly happened," she said. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has since written to the West Bengal Chief Secretary seeking full cooperation for the ongoing inquiry.

Four individuals—including two current students, one former student, and a college security guard—have been arrested. The survivor alleged that one person sexually assaulted her while two others stood outside the room. The involvement of Monojit Mishra, a former student leader linked to the ruling party's student wing, has added a volatile political dimension to the case, sparking condemnation from opposition leaders and civil society alike.

As protests grow louder and the investigation expands, the city remains gripped by a renewed demand for justice and accountability—echoing memories of past tragedies and underscoring deep concerns about campus safety and the politicization of justice.