People hit streets in Kolkata, add intensity to protests over law college gang rape

People from all walks of life on Sunday (June 29, 2025) joined protests against the gang rape of a law college student in Kolkata. Protests were held outside South Calcutta Law College, where the alleged crime had occurred on June 25, and Kasba Police Station, where the FIR has been registered.

By evening, protests spilled to different parts of the city, including Jadavpur, Rashbehari, and Harzra. Supporters of “Abhaya Mancha” a group created after rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Hospital and Medical College on August 9, 2024, participated in the protests, along with students and the elderly.

While activists of the political parties have been protesting over the past few days since the incident came to light, on Sunday, common people joined the protests. The protests on Sunday brought back memories of the massive protests after the horrific crime at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital last year.

Crime spot visited

Earlier on Sunday, National Commission for Women (NCW) member Archana Majumdar visited the South Kolkata Law College and claimed that the police could not provide her with the details of the whereabouts of survivor. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar had written to the State’s Chief Secretary seeking cooperation from the State government so that Dr. Majumdar can have access to the site of the crime and the survivor.

“Yesterday till midnight I spoke to the victim’s parents. I told them I would come and meet them. They were very tense and wanted cooperation. This morning, when we tried to reach them, they did not pick up the phone. When I asked the police, they said they didn’t know. When I asked SP Bauruipur, he said their house was under lock and key,” Dr. Majumdar said.

The NCW member, who has earlier contested Assembly polls on a BJP ticket, also said that some rooms at the law college, which is the scene of the crime, were locked and she was not allowed to photograph.

Four persons, including two present students and an ex-student and a security guard of the law college, have been arrested by Kolkata Police. The survivor in her complaint said that she was sexually assaulted by one person while two others stood outside. The involvement of Monojit Mishra, a former student leader associated with the student wing of the ruling party in the gang rape has triggered an outrage in political and social circles.

The medico-legal examination and the recording of the statement by the survivor under Section 183 of BNSS have been completed. The Kolkata Police has increased the number of officers in the Special Investigation Team to probe the crime to nine.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday also took part in protests against the crime by participating in a Kanya Suraksha Yatra (Women Safety March) at Golpark in Kolkata.

“This incident is yet another scar on Bengal’s soul under the Trinamool regime. How many more innocent girls & women must suffer due to their failure to protect our women?“ Mr. Adhikari asked on social media.

The BJP leader urged the parents of the deceased doctor at R.G. Kar MCH to call for a “March to Nabanna (State Secretariat) on August 9, 2025, to mark one year of the crime and assured that people across the State will participate without any political colours or flags.