Kolkata
A rape case at South Calcutta Law College has triggered a fierce political battle between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as five accused have been arrested in connection with the assault.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on June 25, involved the alleged rape of a student by two current students and a staff member—also a former student. The accused have been identified as Manojit Mishra (31), Zaib Ahmed (19), and Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20).
Condemning the incident, TMC reiterated its demand for the implementation of the Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill, which mandates swift trials and severe punishment, including the death penalty, in rape cases leading to death or vegetative state. The party accused the BJP-led Centre of delaying its clearance, despite the bill being passed by the West Bengal Assembly following last year’s RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case.
In response, BJP slammed the TMC for alleged political shielding of the accused. BJP leaders circulated photos of one of the arrested men with prominent TMC figures, accusing the ruling party of protecting criminals. BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya claimed the accused had links to senior TMC leaders, while MLA Shankar Ghosh called the incident a result of “societal decline fueled by CM Mamata Banerjee’s rhetoric.”
The BJP demanded a fair, politically unbiased investigation, stating that crimes against women are rising in Bengal due to lack of accountability. Police are currently investigating, and further arrests are likely.
