The Kolkata Police on Saturday arrested Pinaki Banerjee, a security guard at South Calcutta Law College, for his alleged role in the rape of a first-year law student on the college premises. Banerjee becomes the fourth person arrested in the high-profile case, which has triggered massive public and political outrage.
According to police sources, Banerjee was present at the time of the incident on June 25 but failed to act. Investigators found that he had vacated his guard room at the instruction of the main accused, Monojit Mishra, a former student leader affiliated with the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP). The 24-year-old survivor was allegedly assaulted in that very room for several hours.
Survivor’s Pleas Ignored, Guard Did Not Alert Authorities
Sources said the survivor had repeatedly pleaded for help, but Banerjee did not intervene or alert the authorities. His negligence became clear during police questioning, leading to his arrest. “He had the responsibility to inform the college administration or police, but he chose not to,” an officer familiar with the case said.
The main gate of the college was reportedly locked during the assault, and the security guard was made to sit outside while the crime took place inside the guard room.
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The survivor, who had gone to the college to submit exam-related forms, alleged that Monojit Mishra had earlier pressured her to marry him. Upon her refusal, he allegedly orchestrated the attack, recorded the assault, and blackmailed her with the video.
Mishra, reportedly an organisational secretary of the south Kolkata wing of TMCP, was arrested on Wednesday. The two co-accused students, Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20), were arrested a day later.
A medical examination has confirmed evidence of rape, including signs of forceful penetration, bite marks, and nail scratches, according to police officials.
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The case has prompted widespread criticism of the ruling party and campus safety mechanisms. With the arrest of the security guard, the focus now shifts to the institutional failures that allowed the crime to occur on college grounds.
