Image Source livemint
“Monojit dada is in our hearts (Team MM)” is a piece of graffiti found on a wall inside the Kolkata law college, which has gained attention due to a student’s rape incident on campus. Here, “Monojit dada” refers to Monojit Mishra, the main suspect in the rape case and a former student who maintained significant influence on the campus even after his graduation.
As per Monojit’s profile, he has been leading the college unit of the Trinamool College Chhatra Parishad, the student branch of the ruling party in West Bengal, since 2017. In light of the widespread outrage regarding the rape case, the Trinamool party has asserted that he has no connections with them and should face the harshest consequences.
Students at the college report that Monojit, affectionately nicknamed “Mango” by his peers, held considerable power on campus, to the point where even faculty and administrative staff were intimidated by him. Reports indicate that several complaints of harassment and molestation had been filed against him previously, yet no action was taken.
Monojit’s father, Robin Mishra, serves as a priest at Kalighat, while his mother is afflicted with neurological problems. In interviews, Robin Mishra has expressed that he worked diligently to ensure his son received a quality education but severed ties due to Monojit’s political involvement and frequent altercations. Monojit resided nearby and would only visit to collect documents sent to his father’s residence. According to Robin Mishra, Monojit has been living independently for approximately four years.
Neighbors describe Monojit, also known as Papai, as a troublemaker who frequently engaged in drunken fights. Some reports suggest he had a girlfriend, who is also a lawyer, and would often come to see him.
The Evolution of a Campus Leader
Initially a promising student with aspirations of becoming a lawyer, Monojit enrolled in the Kolkata college in 2007 and was expected to complete his studies in 2012. During his tenure, he became active in campus politics. In 2011, the Trinamool party assumed power in Bengal. Monojit left the college before completing his degree but re-enrolled in 2017 and graduated in 2022. His profile labels him as a “criminal lawyer,” although his father has mentioned that he spent more time on campus than in the courtroom.
A Pick-Up Line, And History Of Perversion
As reported by The Times of India, Monojit frequently approached women on campus with the pick-up line “tui amay biye korbi?” (Will you marry me?). He used this same line when he first met the 24-year-old survivor of the campus rape.
Students have informed The Times of India that Monojit would take pictures of female students, alter them, and share them in WhatsApp groups. He and his associates would then engage in body-shaming and gossip about these women on campus.
Furthermore, some students have expressed that they were so intimidated by Monojit that they ceased attending college. Following a doctor’s rape-murder at a Kolkata hospital last year, significant protests erupted in the city. Monojit confronted students participating in the march, questioning them and allegedly threatening and assaulting some. Students have reported that Monojit would brazenly assert that he was untouchable due to his connections with influential politicians.
A Criminal Past
Monojit Mishra has several police complaints filed against him and was out on bail for these incidents. Some of the allegations include: (1) tearing off a woman student’s dress at South Calcutta Law College in July 2019, (2) stealing a music system, perfume, and spectacles from a friend’s residence in December 2019, (3) molesting a woman on Swinhoe Lane in March 2022, and (4) assaulting a man, which led to his arrest in April 2017. He is also accused of attacking a college guard and vandalizing college property in a case from May 2024.
The police have stated that Monojit Mishra denies the rape accusation, claiming it was consensual. They are now considering requesting an extension of his custody and may present a list of his offenses in court to support their case.
What Happened On June 25
The survivor has claimed in her report that Monojit, along with two other accused, Pramit Mukherjee and Zaib Ahmed, summoned her to the college’s union room at approximately 7 pm on June 25. This situation raises significant concerns regarding campus discipline. Classes conclude by 5 pm, after which the gates are supposed to be locked. This raises significant concerns regarding campus discipline.
Classes conclude by 5 pm, after which the gates are required to be locked. How, then, can students remain in the union room until late hours? The victim has claimed that a security guard on campus aided the accused.
She reported that upon entering the union room, Monojit demanded she “prove her loyalty” to the student wing of Trinamool. Sensing something was amiss, she attempted to leave, but was forcibly taken to another room where she was raped. The accused recorded videos and threatened her to keep silent.
Investigating police officers have stated that the CCTV footage from the campus supports the survivor’s narrative, showing her being coerced into the room where the assault occurred. Four individuals, including the guard, have been apprehended in connection with the case.
(Newsroom staff only edited this story for style from a syndicated feed)
