In a shocking development in the alleged rape case of a 24-year-old law student from South Calcutta Law College, the institution's security guard, identified as Pinaki Banerjee (55), has been arrested by Kolkata Police. Banerjee was taken into custody on Friday and charged under the gang rape provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), making him the fourth person arrested in connection with the incident.
The case, which has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over campus safety in Kolkata, pertains to an alleged sexual assault that occurred on the evening of June 25 between 7:30 pm and 8:50 pm on the college premises in Kasba. Three individuals—Manojit Mishra (31), Zaib Ahmed (19), and Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20)—were arrested earlier following the complaint filed by the survivor on Thursday night. All three were produced before the court and remanded to police custody until July 1.
According to the survivor's complaint, one of the accused made unwanted advances towards her, which she firmly rejected. "I cried and asked him to let me go. I told them I have a boyfriend and that I love him. But he did not listen," she stated in her formal complaint to the authorities.
The situation escalated when, as per her testimony, she was struck with a hockey stick and began experiencing breathing difficulties. After requesting an inhaler, she was allegedly taken to the security guard’s room on the ground floor, adjacent to the student union office, where the assault reportedly continued.
A medico-legal examination of the survivor has been conducted, with preliminary findings revealing abrasion marks around her neck and chest area. Sources close to the investigation told CNN-News18 that the medical report has not ruled out the possibility of sexual assault.
This case has reignited concerns over the safety and security of women on educational campuses in Kolkata. It comes less than a year after the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate medical trainee at RG Kar Medical College, which had already drawn widespread condemnation and demands for institutional reforms.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has formally requested a comprehensive action-taken report from Kolkata Police within three days.
The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement authorities continue to question the accused and gather further evidence.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.