TMC Disowns Kolkata Law College Rape Accused | The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has acknowledged that the main accused in the rape of a 24-year-old law student in Kolkata is associated with its student wing, but has insisted that political affiliation will not interfere with the legal process. The case, which has triggered public outrage and a political slugfest, centres around an incident that occurred at the South Calcutta Law College in Kasba on June 25.
The accused, Monojit Mishra (31), a practising lawyer and former student, was arrested alongside Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20), both current students. All three are now in custody and facing serious charges, including rape and criminal intimidation.
Photographs have surfaced showing Mishra with prominent TMC leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, MP and nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Health Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, prompting questions about his party ties.
TMC Denounces Crime, Distances Leadership From Accused
Facing mounting criticism, senior TMC leaders have publicly condemned the incident and reiterated their support for justice. Addressing a press conference, Minister Shashi Panja said, “A woman’s body is not a battleground for your politics. It has to be respected… We are very pained by this. The Kolkata Police has taken action and there will be a proper investigation. The people behind the crime will be punished.”
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Panja also criticised the BJP for politicising the issue and challenged the party to support the Aparajita Bill, which seeks the death penalty for rape convicts. “If you are serious, support the bill. Don’t block it,” she said.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) head Trinakur Bhattacharya confirmed that Mishra had once been a junior member of the student wing but was not currently affiliated. “He held a position in 2019. We didn’t know what he would do in 2025. He is not on any committee now,” he clarified.
Bhattacharya stressed that the focus should be on justice for the survivor rather than party affiliation. “He is a rapist. He should face justice. The photo with Abhishek Banerjee is from 2017 and people are being misled.”
Senior party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh took a harsher tone, saying, “Their party affiliation, name, post, religion — everything is irrelevant. Such people should be skinned. The animals who committed the crime should be thrashed.”
The party maintains that the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad has no active unit in South Calcutta Law College and that Mishra’s connection was from previous years.
As the investigation proceeds, all eyes are on the legal proceedings and the political fallout, with both ruling and opposition parties sparring over accountability and justice.
