CCTV Footage Shows Kolkata Law Student Dragged Before Alleged Gangrape, Four Arrested

New CCTV footage has surfaced in the Kolkata law student gangrape case, reportedly showing the 24-year-old woman being forcibly dragged from the entrance of South Calcutta Law College into the campus by two of the accused, police said Sunday.

The alleged assault occurred on June 25 inside the college premises in the city’s Kasba area. According to Kolkata Police, the third-year student was gangraped by two senior students and a former student inside the college guard’s room.

An officer involved in the investigation told PTI that the footage supports the survivor’s complaint, which alleges that the main accused, Manojit Mishra, instructed two others to forcefully bring her to the guard room. “The CCTV footage confirms the girl’s allegations. It captures the movements of the accused, the security guard, and the victim. We are closely analyzing it,” the officer said.

Police arrested three suspects on Friday — Manojit Mishra (a former student), and current students Promit Mukherjee and Zaid Ahmed. The college security guard has also been arrested, bringing the total to four.

Rejection of Marriage Proposal Linked to Motive

Investigators believe the alleged gangrape was triggered by the woman’s rejection of a marriage proposal from Mishra. According to police, she had told the accused she was in a relationship and would not “cheat” her boyfriend. Authorities are still examining whether the assault was premeditated.

Mishra has been accused of rape, while Mukherjee and Ahmed allegedly filmed the assault in an attempt to blackmail the survivor. The medical report confirms gangrape, noting signs of forced penetration, bite marks, and nail scratches.

Political Fallout and Public Outrage

The case has sparked widespread public anger and political turmoil. Mishra is linked to the youth wing of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), though the party has said this affiliation offers him no protection.

Political tensions have flared, with the BJP targeting the TMC for alleged inaction. Internal friction within the TMC has also intensified following controversial statements from senior leaders.

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee drew backlash after saying, “If a friend rapes a friend, how can you ensure security? Will there be police in schools?” MLA Madan Mitra added, “This incident has sent a message to girls… If that girl had not gone there, this wouldn’t have happened.”

TMC MP Mahua Moitra strongly condemned these remarks, saying, “Misogyny in India cuts across party lines. What differentiates @AITCofficial is that we condemn these disgusting comments no matter who makes them.”

The survivor was taken back to the college campus on Saturday for a crime scene reconstruction. A five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by an Assistant Commissioner-rank officer, is probing the case.