Kolkata, July 1 (PTI) — In a decisive action following a heinous crime, the South Calcutta Law College terminated the services of the prime accused and expelled two co-accused individuals in the alleged gang rape case of a 24-year-old student. The announcement was made by college authorities on Tuesday. The prime accused, Monojit Mishra, who had been working as a casual employee based on a governing body recommendation, had his appointment canceled following his arrest in connection with the crime. Alongside Mishra, co-accused Zaib Ahmed and Pramit Mukherjee, both enrolled students, were taken into custody and are currently held in police remand. In response to the incident, the college's governing body, led by Trinamool Congress MLA Ashok Kumar Deb, resolved to sever all ties with the accused. Notably, the college also plans to issue a notice to the security agency responsible for maintaining campus safety. Amid outrage over the incident, a security guard has also been apprehended for allegedly being involved in the crime. This meeting, which took place on Tuesday afternoon, marked the first convening since reports surfaced of the first-year student's assault and rape on June 25, after official class hours within college premises. Further actions undertaken by the college authorities include the decision to petition for the cancellation of Mishra's bar council membership. Mishra, a practicing lawyer at Alipore Police and Sessions Court, had previously disclosed this affiliation via his social media platforms. The authorities are keen on restoring a conducive academic atmosphere as swiftly as possible. For the moment, however, the campus will remain closed to students, though exam schedules remain unchanged. Students will still be able to access the administrative office for practical necessities, such as submitting their exam forms. In a gesture of support, the governing body has offered the victim financial assistance for medical expenses, pending her family's approval of the offer. In aiming to bolster campus safety, the authorities plan to enhance CCTV surveillance and replace the current security agency, with an additional decision to deploy female security guards. This response comes amid public pressure demanding accountability and a thorough reform of campus safety. According to Nayna Chatterji, the college's vice-principal, Mishra's contract was originally approved for a term of 45 days, subject to renewal based on a prior resolution. Determined to hold the perpetrators accountable, Chatterji affirmed the college's commitment to seeking the highest punishment. Mishra's contentious history with the institution, dating back to 2013, reveals a pattern of troubling incidents, including a past rustication following a charge of stabbing. He re-emerged to continue his academic pursuits in 2017, graduating in 2022. His involvement with the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) further indicates his significant influence within the college's confines. In a 2016 incident, Mishra was accused of orchestrating an attack on college property; however, related cases were mysteriously dropped. PTI has documented at least seven formal complaints and FIRs, including the current gang rape charges, pending against Mishra. These documents reveal a concerning record of multiple sexual assault accusations across different police stations in south Kolkata.
(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)