Three public interest litigation (PIL) petitions were filed in the Calcutta High Court on Monday, June 30, 2025, demanding an independent probe into the gang rape of a law student at a Kolkata college. The incident reportedly took place on June 25 at South Calcutta Law College. A Division Bench led by Justice Soumen Sen admitted the petitions, with hearings scheduled later this week.

Meanwhile, a fact-finding delegation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) visited the college campus. The Kolkata Police shared an update via social media, stating that medicolegal examinations of both the victim and accused had been completed, and a forensic analysis of the crime scene had also been carried out. The investigation is currently being overseen by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the close supervision of senior officers. “Kolkata Police are committed to ensuring that the perpetrators face the strictest legal action and that justice is delivered swiftly,” the statement read.

The BJP delegation included former Union Ministers Satpal Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi, as well as MPs Biplab Kumar Deb and Manan Kumar Mishra. The team met with Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma and attempted to enter the college campus. However, their presence led to clashes between student protesters and BJP workers, resulting in several student injuries. In light of the incident and its aftermath, classes at the law college have been suspended indefinitely. The campus has also been sealed as part of the ongoing investigation, affecting the academic routine of nearly 600 students.

The BJP team criticized the growing number of sexual assault cases in West Bengal and questioned the hiring of Monojit Mishra, one of the main accused in the case, as a contractual staff member of the college. “We are not here just to review the investigation. We’re here to send a message that every BJP member and every citizen stands with the women of West Bengal,” said BJP leader Satpal Singh. The team also highlighted previous allegations against Mishra, including campus vandalism and molestation, and pointed to his past affiliation with the Trinamool Congress Chattra Parishad and his proximity to ruling party leaders, including Ashok Deb, the TMC MLA who heads the college’s governing body.

Mishra, 31, was arrested along with Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20), based on a June 26 complaint filed by the victim. The trio faces charges of gang rape and unlawful detention. Several other students have since spoken out, accusing Mishra of repeated acts of misconduct on campus.

Public outrage continues to grow, with protests by BJP and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members erupting across the city. Police responded with force, detaining demonstrators at various protest sites.

In response to the controversy, the West Bengal government has ordered the removal of Mishra from his post at the law college. Additionally, the Director of Public Instruction has directed that Ahmed and Mukherjee be expelled from the institution.