The Calcutta High Court on Monday allowed 3 advocates to file separate Public Interest Litigations regarding the alleged gang rape of a law student inside her college premises in South Kolkata.
The advocates, while drawing the attention of a division bench led by Justice Soumen Sen, sought judicial intervention into the incident. They also urged the court to ensure improved security measures across educational institutions in West Bengal.
The bench granted them permission to file the PILs, with the matters likely to be heard later this week, according to one of the lawyers involved.
Incident Sparks Statewide Outrage
The survivor, a student at South Kolkata Law College, has alleged that she was gang-raped on the college premises on June 25. The shocking revelation has led to widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over campus safety.
In response to the complaint, Kolkata Police arrested the primary accused, Manojit Mishra, a former student of the college. Two current students—Promit Mukherjee and Zaid Ahmed—were also taken into custody. Additionally, a college guard was apprehended on Saturday morning, police said.
Special Investigation Team Formed
To ensure a thorough probe, Kolkata Police have constituted a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT). The team will be led by an officer of assistant commissioner rank and will oversee the entire investigation process.
Authorities said the SIT aims to expedite the probe and ensure that no aspect of the case is overlooked.
Calls For Judicial Oversight & Campus Safety
The PILs are expected to focus not only on ensuring justice for the survivor but also on broader institutional reforms. The lawyers are calling for the High Court to supervise the investigation and to issue directions that would mandate safety protocols across college campuses in the state.
This case has once again highlighted the urgent need for educational institutions to bolster security infrastructure and accountability, especially in institutions where students reside or attend classes regularly.
The court’s acceptance of the PILs marks a significant step towards judicial oversight in a matter that has shaken both the legal and academic communities in Bengal.
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