Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, July 7, 2025, Kolkata:
Kasba Law College reopened today after a tense 12-day closure, with the atmosphere on campus thick with apprehension and suppressed panic. As the gates of the institution finally swung open, the mood was far from celebratory, and the name “Manojit” remained unspoken, casting a shadow over the entire proceedings. The college, which had been closed following a series of disturbing events, reopened under heavy police security, leaving everyone uncertain whether they were entering a place of learning or a fort under siege.
From the crack of dawn, the entire campus was cordoned off by a substantial police presence, with high-ranking officers standing guard both inside and outside the premises. The heavy-handed security was a result of the ongoing concerns for safety and the tensions surrounding the reopening. Vice Principal Naina Chatterjee arrived at 7 am, under immense pressure to resume operations, even as the college faced mounting scrutiny and public unrest.
The situation grew more tense as a team of senior police officers inspected the security arrangements multiple times, reviewing the guard rails and other measures to ensure that no untoward incidents occurred. DC SSD Bidisha Kalita made her appearance in front of the college, keeping a watchful eye over the proceedings as staff and professors began arriving one by one. The campus remained heavily secured, with a permanent security guard, Varun Mahali, stationed at the entrance to monitor access.
The unrest surrounding the reopening is connected to an unsettling incident involving a law student, Manojit, whose name became a flashpoint for the growing discontent. According to reports, Manojit’s father claimed that he and his family had come to the college for a brief 20-minute form-filling session, but had refused to leave their son alone, raising concerns over his safety and the institution’s handling of the situation.
Professor Somnath Mukherjee, who appeared in court as a representative for the college, assured the public that strict adherence to security guidelines would be followed moving forward. “The law student who sought help after being allegedly tortured by a lawyer has created an undesirable image for the institution, and we are committed to addressing these concerns,” said Professor Mukherjee. The professor emphasized that the college would not tolerate any form of harassment and would ensure the safety of all students.
However, despite the assurances, chaos erupted within moments of the college reAfter a tense closure lasting 12 days, South Calcutta Law College in Kasba reopened today under heavy police security. The atmosphere was one of apprehension and unease, as the gates of the institution opened to a subdued crowd of students, many accompanied by their parents, for the first time since the college had been shut down on June 29 following a disturbing incident.
The reopening comes in the wake of the alleged gang rape of a first-year student on campus, an event that had sent shockwaves through the institution and the surrounding community. As the college reopens, the name of the prime accused, Manojit Mishra, continues to loom large over the proceedings, although it remains unspoken in the charged air of the campus. Mishra, an alumnus and casual employee of the college, along with two senior students, all of whom are affiliated with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) students’ wing, was arrested following the incident, which occurred after hours on June 25.
On the first day back, Vice Principal Naina Chatterjee confirmed that only first-semester BA LLB students who had not yet completed their examination forms were required to attend. These students were instructed to come in to complete the necessary formalities. Approximately 100 students, many accompanied by concerned parents, arrived at the gates, which were reopened at 10 am.
The reopening was far from routine, with strict security measures in place to ensure that no further incidents would disrupt the fragile peace. Kolkata Police, led by senior officers, had taken charge of overseeing the campus, while private guards carefully checked the ID cards of everyone entering. In line with the college’s new security protocol, no student was allowed to remain on campus past 2 pm, a stark contrast to the previous routine, where the college would remain open until 4 pm on regular working days.
A teacher at the college explained the shift in timings, stating that the decision was made to ensure greater control and to prevent any untoward situations. “We have taken a conscious decision not to allow rogue elements like Manojit Mishra, the prime accused in the rape case, access to the campus. The entry of outsiders will also be strictly regulated,” the teacher said.
While the decision to reopen was made with the approval of the Kolkata Police, the situation remains fraught with tension. The students’ union room and the security guard’s room, both of which were central to the investigation into the assault, have been sealed by the police and are off-limits to students and staff. The authorities also reminded students to follow their usual class timetable starting from July 8, in hopes of returning to normalcy.
Despite assurances from both the police and college authorities, many guardians remained deeply concerned about the safety of their children. Sasanka Dhara, the father of a first-semester student, expressed his fears, stating, “I have decided to accompany my son every day he has to come here for exams until the situation normalizes. We are scared about our children’s safety.” Another guardian accompanying his daughter voiced similar concerns, questioning how the security system could be trusted when both the guards and the college management were under threat.
The allegations that have rocked the college community have not only raised serious questions about campus security but also about the institution’s ability to manage and safeguard its students. One parent remarked, “I refuse to believe that the top TMC leaders were unaware of the criminal activities taking place on the campus, including the gross misuse of the students’ union room. These miscreants were allowed to operate with impunity because they had the blessings of their political leaders.”
The law student, whose name has not been disclosed for privacy reasons, was allegedly gang-raped by Mishra and his accomplices after the college hours. The victim, deeply traumatized by the assault, and her family have been seeking justice, while the college administration has faced public and media scrutiny for its handling of the situation. Protests have erupted from both students and local residents, demanding action against the accused and questioning the college’s safety measures.
In a bid to reassure the public, Professor Somnath Mukherjee, who appeared in court as a representative of the college, promised that the institution would adhere to strict security guidelines moving forward. “The unfortunate incident involving the law student has created an undesirable image for the institution. We are committed to ensuring that such a situation never happens again, and that all students feel safe,” he said.
However, the unrest continued to escalate as protests grew louder throughout the day. Students and faculty voiced their concerns about the timing of Vice Principal Chatterjee’s arrival and departure, as well as the college administration’s handling of the crisis. These grievances led to further unrest, culminating in the Vice Principal being escorted out of the premises amid growing tension.
As the campus begins to reopen, the path to restoring normalcy remains uncertain. For many students, the events of the past two weeks have left an indelible mark on their trust in the institution’s ability to protect them. While the college administration and law enforcement agencies have promised enhanced security measures, the true challenge will be to rebuild the confidence of the student body and their families. Until then, the Kasba Law College remains in a state of suspended tension, with the future of the institution hanging in the balance.opening. Protests broke out around the vice principal, with students and staff disputing the timing of her arrival and departure that day, as well as raising concerns about the registrar’s handling of the situation. These grievances culminated in further unrest, leading to the vice principal being escorted out of the college amid rising tensions.
As the protests grew in intensity, the situation at Kasba Law College remains fragile, with many unsure about the future of the institution. The reopening, while necessary, has only highlighted deeper issues regarding security, student safety, and the overall administration of the college. For now, the tension continues to simmer, with the college community awaiting concrete measures to address these ongoing concerns.
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