Key Points
- Chargesheet filed nearly two months after incident against four accused, including main accused Manojit Mishra.
- DNA report confirmed Mishra’s role, linking him directly to the crime.
- 658-page chargesheet includes testimony of 80 witnesses and crucial forensic evidence.
- Accused face serious charges under IPC (BNS) & IT Act, including gang rape, confinement, and death threats.
- Court trial begins soon, victim and prosecution hopeful of strong verdict.
Kolkata: The Kolkata Police have completed their investigation into the gang rape case at Kolkata Law College, a crime that shocked the entire state and sparked protests demanding justice. The incident occurred on June 25 inside the college campus, when a female law student was allegedly held hostage and sexually assaulted by multiple men.
On Saturday, police filed a comprehensive chargesheet against four individuals accused in the case. The accused are:
- Manojit Mishra (31) : Main accused, not a student but a repeat offender with prior disciplinary complaints.
- Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20) : Law student, accomplice.
- Zaib Ahmed (19) : Law student, accomplice.
- Pinaki Banerjee (51) : College security guard, accused of aiding and covering up the crime.
Police have pressed charges of gang rape, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, voyeurism, and destruction of evidence.
DNA Report: The Turning Point in Evidence
The chargesheet, stretching over 658 pages, is built on strong forensic and testimonial evidence. The DNA profiling conducted by the state forensic lab became the decisive element of the case:
- DNA from samples collected from the victim matched directly with Manojit Mishra.
- This effectively places Mishra at the crime scene and links him physically to the act.
- Along with the forensic report, police have presented a pen drive containing CCTV footage, digital chats, and phone call records, further strengthening the case.
Sources said this DNA match was the biggest blow to the accused’s defense, as it leaves little legal room for denial.
Testimonies Strengthen the Case
Police have recorded testimonies of 80 witnesses, including:
- Fellow students present on the campus on June 25.
- Staff members who saw the accused near the restricted area.
- Medical officials who examined the victim hours after the crime.
Prosecution authorities say the forensic and digital trail matches with the victim’s consistent statement, eliminating chances of fabricated allegations.
Charges and Punishment Under Law
Public Prosecutor Saurin Ghoshal confirmed that stringent charges have been filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) (new criminal code replacing IPC) and IT Act.
- Gang rape (BNS 70(1)): Punishment is 20 years minimum, extendable to life imprisonment.
- Wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation: Up to 7 years.
- Voyeurism (taking intimate images without consent): 3–7 years.
- Destruction of evidence: 3 years.
Legal experts suggest that considering the seriousness of the crime, the main accused could face life imprisonment if convicted.
What Happens Next?
With the chargesheet filed within two months, the case is expected to move swiftly in the courts. The victim is under state protection, and the trial is likely to be fast-tracked due to the public outrage surrounding the incident.
Women’s rights groups across Kolkata have demanded the maximum possible punishment for the accused and urged the judiciary not to allow unnecessary delays in the trial.
