The Alipore court raised serious questions regarding government inaction as it addressed at least 12 complaints, predominantly of molestation, against Monojit Mishra, the primary accused in a rape case linked to a Kolkata law college. The court extended the judicial custody of Mishra, 31, and three other co-accused until August 5. All four individuals have been in judicial custody since July 8.
During the recent hearing, Mishra’s legal team opted not to pursue bail but submitted two petitions. These petitions requested the presence of lawyers during interrogations and sought the seizure of the complainant’s mobile phone. Mishra’s counsel alleged that his client was being coerced into confessing during interrogation sessions in jail. “Officials are pressuring Monojit to admit to all the allegations. We have not been permitted to speak with him. Hence, I request the court to allow a two-hour meeting with him in jail,” the lawyer stated.
Mishra’s counsel also complained about inadequate facilities within the correctional centre. They claimed, “Despite being termed a correctional centre, it lacks essential amenities. My client should have access to medical care, clean water, reading materials, a pen, and even a mosquito net.”
Chief Public Prosecutor Sourin Ghosal highlighted that approval from jail authorities is necessary for meeting the accused and noted, “A gait pattern analysis will be conducted tomorrow. The chargesheet will be prepared soon, and the government intends to pursue a trial.”
The defense for Pinaki Banerjee, a college security guard implicated in the case, challenged the applicability of legal provisions cited in the FIR. “I was taken into custody and mistreated by investigators. What role did I play in this? I was merely working that night. I could have been a witness instead of a suspect,” Banerjee’s lawyer asserted.
Special Public Prosecutor Bibash Chattopadhyay added that during the alleged incident, one guard stood outside while another recorded the events. “The guard should have protected the victim but acted in a way that facilitated the crime. Our investigation has indicated that all accused were located at the crime scene during the incident. If Monojit Mishra had faced consequences for his previous 12 molestation complaints, this incident might have been prevented,” he explained.
The judge echoed this sentiment, questioning, “If the complaints date back to 2023, what steps has the government taken?”
In addition to Monojit Mishra and Pinaki Banerjee, police have apprehended Zaib Ahmed, 19, and Pramit Mukherjee, 20, both students, in relation to the incident that occurred on June 25. The Kolkata Police’s Detective Department has assumed control of the investigation, which was initially handled by a Special Investigation Team that began with five members but was later expanded to nine.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/kolkata-law-college-rape-what-was-govt-doing-if-12-complaints-against-law-college-rape-accused-were-from-2023-asks-alipore-court-10143271/
Category: Cities,Kolkata
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Publish Date: 2025-07-23 04:30:00
