Father of Kolkata Law College Rape Victim Alleges Threatening Encounters
The father of a law student who was allegedly gangraped at a prominent Kolkata law college in June has come forward with shocking allegations of intimidation and pressure to withdraw the case. In an exclusive conversation with The Indian Express, the distressed father revealed that two unidentified men on a motorcycle threatened him with dire consequences if he didn't drop the charges against the accused.
Threatening Incident Details Emerge
The alarming incident occurred on November 19, when the victim's father was returning home. "I was returning home when I saw two persons on a motorbike following me," he recounted. "Initially, I did not pay heed. They were using foul language. Since neither was known to me, I paid no heed. But then they told me to withdraw the case, or else there would be dire consequences. It was then that I realised that it was related to my daughter's case."
This threatening encounter has raised serious concerns about witness protection and the safety of victims' families in high-profile criminal cases. The father immediately filed a formal complaint with the Kolkata Police, who have confirmed they are conducting an inquiry into the matter.
Case Background and Current Status of Accused
The horrific incident dates back to June 25, when the law student was allegedly gangraped on the college premises. Following a thorough investigation, Kolkata Police arrested four individuals and submitted a chargesheet in August naming all accused parties.
The four accused include:
- Manojit Mishra (31) - prime accused, former contractual staffer at the college and former TMC students' wing functionary
- Zaib Ahmed (19) - student at the college
- Pramit Mukherjee (20) - student at the college
- Pinaki Banerjee (55) - college security guard
Currently, only Pinaki Banerjee is out on bail, while the other three accused remain in judicial custody. The police chargesheet has described the alleged rape as "premeditated" and forensic reports have corroborated the victim's allegations, specifically confirming the involvement of prime accused Monojit Mishra.
Family's Resolve and Police Response
Despite the recent threats, the victim's family has shown remarkable courage and determination. "We will not bow down to these threats," the father declared. "We will continue the fight. The administration is with us, and we have full faith in the police."
Police authorities have acknowledged receiving the complaint against unknown persons and assured that a proper inquiry is underway. Interestingly, the family has not yet sought police protection, though the father indicated they might consider it if necessary in the future.
The case continues to develop as Kolkata Police maintain their investigation into both the original gangrape incident and the recent intimidation allegations, highlighting the ongoing challenges in ensuring justice for sexual assault victims in India.
