Disturbing courtroom claim unfolds as lawyer states inhaler provided to Kolkata student enabled brutal rape
by Utsav RoyIn her complaint, the law student recounted how she used an inhaler, felt relief, and attempted to flee, only to be forcibly taken to another room where she was allegedly assaulted.
During court proceedings in Kolkata, the public prosecutor revealed that the inhaler was not provided out of concern during the student’s panic attack but was allegedly used to ensure she regained strength only to be subjected to further abuse.
The 24-year-old victim, a student at South Calcutta Law College in Kasba, Kolkata, was reportedly raped on June 25 by Monojit Mishra, a 31-year-old former student of the same institution. Alongside Mishra, two other students, 19-year-old Zaib Ahmed and 20-year-old Pramit Mukhopadhyay, plus a security guard have been accused, with all four taken into custody.
According to her statement, the survivor experienced a panic attack prior to the assault. Mishra reportedly instructed one of the accused to fetch an inhaler for her. After using the inhaler and feeling better, she tried to escape, but was dragged to the security guard’s room, where Mishra allegedly raped her while Ahmed and Mukhopadhyay recorded the incident.
In a hearing where police custody was sought for 10 days, the prosecutor explained that medical and electronic evidence are corroborating the survivor’s account.
“Initially, the survivor faced brutal assault. When her condition worsened, she was given an inhaler, not for genuine recovery, but so she could be attacked again upon regaining consciousness,” the prosecutor argued.
The investigation is ongoing with numerous facets still under scrutiny, said the prosecutor as he pressed for extended custody.
Defense counsel for Mishra and the two students contended that their clients are fully cooperating. Questioning whether the survivor’s phone was confiscated and call records collected, the defense described the case as a conspiracy targeting the accused.
The court granted custody of Mishra and the two students to Kolkata Police until July 8, while custody of the security guard was extended until Friday.
Photos linking Mishra with prominent party figures, including MP Abhishek Banerjee (nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee) and Health Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, surfaced recently. The Trinamool Congress acknowledged Mishra’s connection with its student wing but emphasized that this affiliation would not hinder the pursuit of the harshest punishment.
A former South Calcutta Law College student told that Mishra was feared on campus and implicated in several criminal acts. Though an alumnus, Mishra returned as a contractual employee.
“She sexually harassed a woman in 2019, even tearing her clothes. In 2024, he assaulted a security guard and damaged college property. There were also theft accusations. Many complaints were made, but no action was taken due to his political clout,” the former student revealed.
“No girl at college escaped his harassment. Complaints were numerous, and even his own parents have disowned him,” she added.