– Mita Mukherjee
The South Calcutta Law College student who was allegedly gangraped inside the institution will continue her fight for justice, the West Bengal Commission for Women said. The 24-year old woman believes truth will prevail at the end, the commission said.
The woman told the commission that she had initially refrained from approaching the police on the night of June 25 immediately after the incident as she was scared about the social stigma. She eventually mustered the courage to lodge a complaint with the police the next day, Leena Gangopadhyay, chairperson of the commission said.
A team from the commission had met the victim on Saturday afternoon and spoke with her for nearly an hour.
“She is struggling to come out of the trauma. She has experienced a lot of mental and physical stress from the assault. But she has the mental strength to continue her fight. Her family has stood by her. The commission will continue to extend its cooperation to ensure that she gets justice,” Gangopadhyay said.
In her complaint, the victim has alleged that she was subjected to immense torture on the night of June 25 between 7.30pm and 10.50 pm. She was forcibly taken to the security guard’s room where she was raped. Four persons have been arrested including one former student, two current students and the guard whose room was used to commit the crime.
Gangopadhyay said after visiting the student, the commission has prepared a report for submitting to the state government where it has urged the administration to provide safety to the victim and her family.
“We have suggested the government to ensure all possible measures for the safety of the woman and her family members,” Gangopadhyay told EducationWorld.
Gangopadhyay was accompanied by a commission member, a legal consultant, a media consultant and a counsellor.
The incident shocked the entire state with many raising questions on how Monojit Mishra, the main accused who has multiple criminal charges against him was allowed to have access in the campus. Monojit had been arrested even before and the charges against him include molestation, theft and assault. He is a former leader of the student wing of the ruling Trinamool Congress and known for his proximity to influential leaders of the party.
Gangopadhyay said the commission in its report has also urged the government to ensure adequate safety and security of students on campuses of all educational institutions.
Gangopadhyay said the student has expressed her satisfaction with the way the case was being handled and she has received necessary cooperation from the administration.
