IIM Calcutta allows student out on bail in rape case to attend classes, but not return to hostel

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta has allowed 26-year-old MBA student Paramanand Mahavir Toppannavar, who was arrested in a rape case and later granted bail, to attend classes from July 28. However, the institute has barred him from residing in the campus hostel until the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Kolkata Police completes its ongoing investigation.

The decision was taken after a meeting of the Academic Council, which included the acting director Saibal Chattopadhyay, the Dean, senior faculty members, and institute officials. The council reviewed Toppannavar’s application seeking permission to return to academic activities and consulted legal advice before concluding that he may resume attending regular classes. The student has also been allowed to use the library facilities.

According to the institute, the student will not be allowed to stay at the Lake View Hostel, where the alleged incident occurred, until further notice. The administration also stated that the issue of compensatory attendance for the classes missed during his judicial custody from July 12 to 22 would be considered at a later stage. Toppannavar is currently in the final stretch of a two-year programme with eight months of coursework left.

The rape complaint was filed on July 11 by a woman who claimed to be a counsellor but not affiliated with the institute. She alleged that the student called her to the hostel on the pretext of counselling, offered a spiked drink, and then raped her. However, according to police records cited by the institute, the woman did not appear when called for cooperation in the investigation. Her father later claimed that she had been pressured to file a false case and that no such incident occurred.

The institute clarified that while the investigation is pending, the student is not permitted to stay on campus. However, in order to avoid disruption of his academic schedule, he has been conditionally allowed to attend classes under administrative monitoring.