Brief Summary
The Kolkata gang rape case has revealed shocking details about the prime accused, Manojit Mishra, including his criminal history and political connections with the Trinamool Congress. Despite multiple cases against him, no action was taken due to his political ties, which also helped him secure a job at a law college and get another accused admitted. The incident has sparked protests and accusations against the Mamata Banerjee government, with demands for justice and investigations into the extent of the accused's crimes and the involvement of others.
- Manojit Mishra, the prime accused, has a long criminal record and close ties with Trinamool Congress leaders.
- Mishra secured a job in the law college and helped another accused get admission due to his political connections.
- The gang rape case has led to protests and accusations against the Mamata Banerjee government, demanding justice and thorough investigations.
Manojit Mishra's Criminal Background and Political Connections
Manojit Mishra, the main suspect in the Kolkata gang rape case, has a significant criminal history, including four prior cases and an accusation of attacking the police, which resulted in jail time. Despite this, he maintained close relationships with prominent Trinamool Congress leaders, preventing any open opposition against him. Shockingly, Mishra was employed at the law college by ignoring established regulations, a fact that has only come to light following his arrest in the gang rape case.
Principal's Testimony on Manojit's Behavior
Maksuda Khatun, the principal of Kolkata's Girls BT College, testified that Manojit Mishra was a habitual offender known for harassing girls, including unwanted physical contact and marriage proposals. While a student at South Law College, which shared a campus with Kolkata Girls' College until 2016, Manojit was a terror, routinely engaging in vandalism, hooliganism, and threats against the college principal. Despite numerous police complaints, no action was taken against him due to his connections with Mamata Banerjee's party. Khatun also mentioned that Manojit attempted to enter the girls' college the day before the gang rape incident but was stopped by security.
Accusations of Admission Irregularities
Manojit Mishra's political connections also facilitated the admission of Zaib Ahmed, another accused in the gang rape, into the law college. Despite Zaib Ahmed's low rank of 2634 in the entrance exam, he secured admission to South Kolkata Law College. This is particularly suspicious given that there are only 2166 seats across 14 law colleges in Bengal, with limited seats in government colleges for students ranking between 500 and 700. The circumstances of Zaib's admission, especially from the general quota, raise questions about potential corruption and who might have recommended his admission.
Details of the Crime and Evidence
During the court hearing, the public prosecutor revealed disturbing details about the gang rape, stating that the accused bought an inhaler from a nearby medical shop to keep the victim conscious during the assault. The police have recovered the bill and CCTV footage from the medical shop as evidence. The medical shop owner confirmed that someone had purchased the inhaler around 8:30 pm on the day of the incident but could not identify the accused due to the crowd.
Police Investigation and BJP Protest
The Kolkata Police have added six new criminal sections against the three accused in the Law College gang-rape case and have assigned the Detective Department to investigate the matter. Dissatisfied with the police action, the BJP Yuva Morcha organized a protest march in Kolkata, demanding justice for the victim. The march, permitted by the High Court, started from Ras Bihari Rakesh in South Kolkata and proceeded to South Kolkata Law College, with participation from the Leader of Opposition in the Bengal Assembly, Subhendu Adhikari.
Political Reactions and Demands
During the protest, Shubhendu Adhikari accused the Mamata government of hiding the victim and her family, expressing doubt about the possibility of justice under the current administration. He called for Mamata Banerjee's immediate resignation, stating that the women of Bengal have started a movement against her. In response, Trinamool Congress, represented by Kunal Ghosh, dismissed the rally as a flop and accused BJP of politicizing rape cases. Ghosh affirmed that the Mamata government is investigating the gang rape case with complete transparency, assuring that the victim will receive justice.
Demands for Further Investigation
Sukanta Majumdar urged Trinamool Congress leaders to explain how a history sheeter like Manojit Mishra secured a job in a college. He also called for an investigation into the number of girls victimized by Manojit, suggesting he may have used videography to exploit and abuse them, potentially sending them to others with connections. Majumdar emphasized the need to investigate the role of the college's governing body members in employing such an individual.
Conclusion: Abuse of Power and Call for Accountability
The Kolkata gangrape case highlights how Manojit Mishra, a law college goon, exploited his connections with the Trinamool Congress to blackmail and abuse girls. Despite his criminal behavior, no action was taken against him, emboldening him and his associates to commit the heinous crime of gang rape. The incident raises questions about why the party provided a platform for such individuals and underscores the pattern of political parties using and protecting goons until they commit major crimes, after which the parties disavow any connection.
