Kolkata Police have arrested a security guard, identified as 55-year-old Pinaki Banerjee, in connection with the alleged gang rape of a 24-year-old first-year student at South Calcutta Law College. This marks the fourth arrest in the case, following the detention of three other individuals earlier this week. The incident, which occurred on June 25, 2025, has sparked widespread outrage and reignited debates about campus safety and political affiliations in educational institutions.
The three previously arrested individuals include Manojit Mishra, a 31-year-old former student and contractual staffer associated with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) student wing, and two current students, Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20), both reportedly linked to the college’s Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) unit. According to the survivor’s complaint, the assault took place in the college’s guard room between 7:30 pm and 10:50 pm. The survivor alleged that Mishra sexually assaulted her while Ahmed and Mukherjee locked the door from the outside, and the security guard was coerced into leaving the area.
A medical report confirmed abrasion marks around the victim’s neck and body, supporting her account of the assault. The Kolkata Police acted swiftly, registering an FIR and apprehending the initial three accused within 12 hours of the complaint. The arrested individuals were produced before a court on June 27 and remanded to four days of police custody for further investigation. The arrest of Banerjee on Saturday has intensified scrutiny of the college’s security measures, with questions raised about how such an incident could occur on campus premises.
The case has triggered a political firestorm, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the ruling TMC of fostering an environment where “criminals” operate freely in educational institutions. BJP state president Sukanta Majumder claimed that the police failed to take firm action due to the accused’s alleged proximity to TMC leaders. In response, TMC vice-president Jayprakash Majumder condemned the incident as a “social malice” and emphasized that the police made prompt arrests, urging unity in addressing such crimes rather than engaging in blame games. The TMC also issued a statement on X, condemning the incident and assuring that “the full weight of the law” would be imposed on those found guilty.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken cognizance of the case, urging the West Bengal Police to conduct a thorough and time-bound investigation to ensure justice for the survivor. The incident has drawn parallels to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata in August 2024, further amplifying public demands for enhanced safety measures in educational and medical institutions.
Kolkata Police have appealed to the public to refrain from circulating unverified or misleading content related to the case, emphasizing their commitment to a transparent investigation. The college premises have been secured for forensic examination, and witnesses’ statements have been recorded to aid the ongoing probe.
As protests erupt across Kolkata demanding justice, the case underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect students and ensure accountability in educational institutions. The investigation continues, with authorities exploring the potential involvement of additional individuals.
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