West Bengal Bar Council Strips License from Kolkata Rape Case Accused

Kolkata: The Bar Council of West Bengal has revoked the legal practice license of Manojit Mishra, the primary suspect in the alleged gang rape of a 24-year-old student at South Calcutta Law College. This decision, announced on Wednesday, bars Mishra from practicing law in any court within the state.

The Bar Council’s action follows serious allegations against Mishra, a former student and temporary staff member at the college, who is accused of sexually assaulting a first-year student on June 25. The incident has sparked significant public outcry and drawn attention to Mishra’s alleged history of misconduct. The council’s chairman, Ashok Deb, stated that the decision to remove Mishra from the advocate rolls was made during a special general meeting, citing the gravity of the accusations. “We are all ashamed of the barbarous crime alleged to have been committed by him,” Deb told reporters, as quoted by India Today. The council also plans to inform the Bar Council of India of its decision.

In addition to the Bar Council’s move, South Calcutta Law College has taken disciplinary action by terminating Mishra’s employment and expelling two other students, Zaib Ahmed and Pramit Mukherjee, who were also arrested in connection with the case. A fourth individual, a security guard named Pinaki Banerjee, was arrested for allegedly failing to intervene during the incident. The Kolkata Police have extended the custody of Mishra, Ahmed, and Mukherjee until July 8, while Banerjee’s custody has been extended until July 4.

The case has fueled a political controversy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that Mishra’s connections to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) student wing influenced the handling of the case. The TMC has denied these claims, asserting that Mishra was not a key party member and that justice will be served. BJP leaders, including Amit Malviya, have accused the TMC of attempting to shield Mishra, pointing to photographs of him with senior TMC figures.

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Further complicating the case, new allegations have emerged against Mishra. A second student claimed that Mishra molested and threatened her in October 2023, locking her in a room during a college event, according to India Today. Additionally, a former classmate alleged that Mishra was involved in a 2013 attempt to murder case, after which he temporarily disappeared from the college, only returning in 2017. Despite these prior accusations, no significant action was taken against him at the time, raising concerns about institutional oversight.

The Kolkata Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) is actively investigating the case, having seized the mobile phones and clothing of the accused for forensic analysis. CCTV footage from the college has reportedly corroborated the survivor’s account, and medical examinations revealed scratch marks on Mishra’s body, suggesting resistance by the victim. The investigation continues as public and political pressure mounts for accountability and justice.