In the wake of the recent South Kolkata Law College rape case, it has come to light that the college administration had previously raised concerns about the primary accused, Manojit Mishra, and sought police intervention regarding his misconduct in both 2018 and 2022. These actions highlight a pattern of disruptive and allegedly criminal behavior exhibited by Mishra over several years, suggesting a failure in preventing his actions despite repeated warnings.
In December 2018, Debasish Chattopadhyay, the then-Principal of South Calcutta Law College, sent a letter to the Kolkata Police Headquarters, specifically addressed to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters). This letter, revealed by IndiaToday.in, expressed serious apprehension regarding Mishra's disruptive conduct during college events. Chattopadhyay highlighted Mishra's history of causing disturbances and voiced fears of similar issues arising during the college's annual social program scheduled for December 13, 2018. The principal formally requested increased security measures from the Kolkata Police for the event, indicating the college's concern about maintaining order and safety in light of Mishra's past behavior.
Despite these warnings and security measures, problems persisted. Another FIR was filed against Mishra in 2022 for allegedly outraging a woman's modesty. In May 2024, the college authorities filed a police complaint accusing him of assaulting a security guard. These incidents demonstrate a continuous pattern of misconduct and alleged criminal behavior.
Mishra's history at South Calcutta Law College is marked by a series of controversies and allegations. He initially enrolled in 2007 but dropped out before graduating. He later re-enrolled in 2017 to pursue a five-year BA LLB program, graduating in 2022. Fellow students have described him as a "perpetual troublemaker" who harassed female students within the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP)-run union office on campus. He reportedly exploited his connections to the TMCP, the student wing of West Bengal's ruling party, to exert influence and evade accountability.
Additional reports suggest a disturbing pattern of sexual aggression and misconduct. Allegations include morphing photos of female students and circulating them, recording intimate moments without consent, and body-shaming female students. Some students claim that formal sexual harassment complaints were filed with faculty, but no action was taken. It's also been reported that Mishra turned the college union room into a space for drinking and partying, further contributing to an environment of intimidation and impunity.
Following the recent rape allegations, Monojit Mishra, along with two others, was arrested on June 28. The survivor alleged that Mishra, after she rejected his marriage proposal, raped her while the other two students watched. The Kolkata Police have taken Mishra and other accused to South Kolkata Law College to reconstruct the crime scene. The Bar Council of West Bengal has revoked Mishra's license, barring him from practicing law. The Governing Body of South Calcutta Law College has also expelled Mishra from his temporary post, and the two students involved have also been expelled.
