Kolkata law college gangrape main accused named in 20 cases of vandalism, assault, threats and campus violence: Police sources

The arrest of Manojit Mishra in a gangrape case inside a South Kolkata law college has brought to light multiple past allegations against him. Mishra, a long-time student of the Kasba-based institution, is accused of being involved in several criminal activities within and outside the campus. Police sources have confirmed that at least 20 cases are registered against him, including charges of assault, kidnapping, and vandalism.

According to students, Mishra and his associates had targeted fellow students who participated in the ‘Raat Dakhal’ protest against the RG Kar rape-murder case on August 14. Participants from the college allege that Mishra identified them from Facebook Live videos of the protest, compiled a list, and later called them to college where they were threatened and in some cases physically assaulted. One student was reportedly abducted near Lake Mall and found unconscious after being beaten.

Several complaints were lodged against Mishra, stating that he used to beat students who opposed him and pressurised them to leave the college. Students have also claimed that at least 10 to 12 of them have not attended college since the protest due to fear. Police sources confirmed that some of these incidents led to FIRs under relevant IPC sections, including kidnapping and assault, though Mishra was not arrested in those cases.

Manojit Mishra had enrolled in the law college in 2014 but remained discollegiate for several years due to not clearing exams. Despite eventually graduating around three years ago, he continued frequenting the campus. Students protested in 2024 when reports emerged of his appointment as a casual staff member, but no action followed. College Vice Principal Nayana Chattopadhyay responded that, “All decisions were made according to the college governing body’s resolution. I have all related documents.”

He was suspended three times by the college administration and had once been arrested in 2017 following a complaint by then Principal Debashish Chattopadhyay over damage to CCTV cameras during campus vandalism. Mishra had also held the position of college unit president in the student wing TMCP and was named South Kolkata organizational secretary in 2021. However, TMCP’s state president Trinankur Bhattacharya has stated that Mishra never held any official position in the organisation.

Mishra's two associates — Promit Mukhopadhyay, a second-year student from Howrah, and Zaib Ahmed, a first-year student from Tiljala — were also arrested in connection with the same gangrape case. They are alleged to be involved in activities such as facilitating admissions for money, drug-related incidents, and organising objectionable events under the guise of college fests. Complaints also include allegations of female students being threatened at their homes and hostels by men allegedly linked to Mishra. He currently resides in Kalighat with his father, while his mother and sister reportedly do not live with him.