Main Accused in Kolkata Law Student Gangrape a History-Sheeter, Say Police

Kolkata Police have arrested 31-year-old Monojit Mishra, a practising criminal lawyer and former contractual staff at South Calcutta Law College, as the prime accused in the gangrape of a 24-year-old first-year law student. Mishra’s arrest has sparked outrage, not only because of the horrific nature of the crime but also due to his long and troubling criminal history.

Mishra, along with two students—Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20)—was arrested on Thursday for allegedly assaulting the student on the college campus on June 25. The incident reportedly took place in the security guard’s room between 7:30 PM and 10:50 PM. The college guard, who was present at the scene, was also arrested on Saturday.

Though no longer a student, Mishra had been working on a casual basis at the college. Vice-principal Nayna Chatterji confirmed that the governing body had hired him around 45 days earlier. TMC MLA Ashok Kumar Deb, who chairs the college’s governing body, denied recommending him for the role.

Multiple Criminal Charges and History of Violence

Police sources confirmed Mishra is a history-sheeter with a string of cases and chargesheets filed against him. He has previously faced charges for theft, vandalism, assault, and sexual harassment, with FIRs lodged at multiple police stations including Kalighat, Kasba, Alipore, Haridevpur, and Tollygunge.

In 2019, he was accused of tearing a woman’s clothes on campus. That same year, he allegedly stole valuables from a friend’s house during a New Year’s Eve party. In 2022, he was booked for harassment in Kasba, and in May 2024, the college administration filed a complaint after he assaulted a security guard and damaged college property.

Family Distanced Themselves from Him

According to reports, Mishra’s father, a temple priest in Kalighat, disowned him years ago over his violent behaviour and political activities. His mother reportedly suffers from neurological issues. “He has been out of our lives for years,” his father was quoted as saying.

Once Demanded Death Penalty for Rapists

In a startling revelation, Mishra had previously demanded capital punishment for rape convicts. After a trainee doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College in 2023, Mishra wrote on social media: “Want death sentence for the rapist. Want justice and not drama.”

Now, he stands accused of committing a similar crime.

Links to TMC Student Wing

Mishra had once served as a local unit head of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the student wing of the ruling TMC. He described himself as a TMCP functionary on social media and has appeared in photos with senior TMC leaders.

However, the party has since disassociated itself. TMCP state president Trinankur Bhattacharjee said Mishra held only a minor post years ago and was not part of the new committee since 2022. “No organisation can be held responsible for someone’s personal actions after they’ve left,” he said.

TMC MLA Ashok Deb reiterated that he had no role in Mishra’s recruitment and called attempts to link him politically to the accused “unjustified.”

The investigation is ongoing.