Guard at Kolkata Law College Booked for Withholding Information in Gang-Rape Case

Kolkata Law College Guard Arrested in Gang-Rape Case for Failing to Act.

Kolkata Police on Saturday arrested a security guard of South Kolkata Law College for his alleged complicity in the gang-rape of a first-year student that occurred on campus. The guard, Pinaki Banerjee, became the fourth person arrested in the case, following the earlier detention of three others, including the prime accused — a Trinamool Congress student leader.

Investigations revealed that Banerjee was present during the incident and, despite hearing the victim’s cries for help, failed to intervene or report the crime. According to police sources, the guard left his post at the accused’s instruction, allowing the assault to happen inside the very room he was supposed to secure.

“It was his responsibility to inform the authorities or prevent the crime. His inaction, despite clear signs of distress, amounts to criminal negligence,” said a police official. Banerjee was taken into custody after his role became clear during questioning.

Brutal Assault Inside Guard Room
The 24-year-old student was allegedly raped inside the college guard room on June 25. According to her complaint, she had gone to the college to submit an examination form when she was forcibly taken to the guard’s room and assaulted for several hours by Monojit Mishra — a former president of the college’s Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad unit and an organisational secretary in the party’s South Kolkata wing.

Two other students, identified as Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (a second-year student), stood by and watched as the crime unfolded.

The victim said that the main gate was locked during the assault and that the security guard was stationed outside the room. Despite her repeated pleas, he allegedly ignored her.

Mishra, the primary accused, was arrested on Wednesday, while Ahmed and Mukherjee were apprehended a day later. The woman also alleged that Mishra recorded the act and used the footage to blackmail her. A medical examination confirmed signs of sexual assault, including physical injuries and forced penetration.

Political Backlash and Public Outrage
The incident has triggered a massive political storm in West Bengal. The alleged involvement of a Trinamool Congress-affiliated leader has intensified criticism of the ruling party. The opposition BJP accused the state government of failing to protect students and women, citing a pattern of rising crimes on educational campuses.

“Law and order in West Bengal is crumbling, even with the Chief Minister directly in charge of the Home Department,” said BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar.

Responding to the backlash, Trinamool Congress spokesperson and state minister Dr. Shashi Panja condemned the crime, stating the government stands firmly with the survivor. “We urge everyone not to politicise the incident. The accused must face the strictest punishment under the law,” she said at a press briefing.

This incident comes on the heels of another high-profile case involving the rape and murder of a medical student at RG Kar Medical College, further fuelling public anger over women’s safety in the state.