Kolkata: The investigation into the gang-rape of a 24-year-old law student inside South Calcutta Law College has gained momentum, with technical evidence strongly backing the survivor’s statement. CCTV footage and call data records have aligned with the victim’s timeline, lending critical support to her account of the incident.
In a key development, the college’s vice principal confirmed that the accused had no access to the CCTV surveillance system, eliminating concerns of footage tampering. Based on this, investigators are now planning to recreate the crime scene to further verify the sequence of events from the night of June 25.
As the inquiry deepens, police are preparing to question several students who were present on campus that day. The survivor has undergone a medico-legal examination, and her statement has been recorded under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). In response to public outrage and the seriousness of the case, the Kolkata Police expanded the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to nine officers to accelerate the probe.
Protests erupted across the city on Sunday, with demonstrators gathering outside South Calcutta Law College and Kasba Police Station. By evening, the protests had spread to Jadavpur, Rashbehari, and Hazra. Students, senior citizens, and members of the citizens’ group “Abhaya Mancha”—formed after the 2024 rape and murder of a trainee doctor—joined hands to demand justice.
Meanwhile, a SIT team recovered key forensic evidence from the home of the prime accused, identified as ‘M’. A red kurta and brown six-pocket pants, matching the outfit worn by the accused in CCTV footage, were seized. A pair of black shorts was also recovered. These clothes have been sent for forensic testing and are expected to strengthen the case.
Authorities also searched the homes of the other two accused—Manojit, Jayeb, and Pramit—collecting clothing and other items. Investigators are examining whether the accused had access to any digital devices beyond their mobile phones, as they attempt to piece together all potential electronic evidence related to the crime.
In a startling revelation, the college’s night-shift security guard, Pinaki Bandopadhyay, disclosed that his mobile phone was forcibly taken by the accused during the incident—allegedly to stop him from calling for help. He also revealed that another female student was present in the union room earlier in the day and left the premises around 8:30 PM, shortly before the crime is believed to have occurred. Police plan to summon her for questioning as a possible witness.
The day-shift security guard, who was on duty earlier that day, will also be questioned as part of the expanding investigation. Police have compiled a list of 17 individuals who were on campus after 4 PM on the day of the assault. Two of them have already been questioned, with more interrogations scheduled.
So far, three people have been arrested, including the main accused. A five-member special probe team is already working on the case, and the enhanced SIT is now leading a more extensive inquiry.
As the investigation unfolds, there is growing pressure on authorities to ensure transparency, sensitivity toward the survivor, and swift justice. The case has once again spotlighted the city’s need for stronger safety mechanisms on college campuses, especially for women.
