Kolkata gang rape: Bar Council expels accused, police track actions before arrest

Police officers investigating the alleged gang rape of a student in a Kolkata law college on June 25 were trying to identify the people whom the prime accused, Monojit Mishra, had met hours before he was arrested, an officer said on Wednesday (July 2).

The investigators were also checking if the other two accused — Zaib Ahmed and Pramit Mukherjee — also contacted any person before they were picked up by the police.

Police track movement

It is alleged that Mishra, an alumnus, raped the first-year student inside a security guard’s room in South Calcutta Law College on June 25 evening while Ahmed and Mukherjee, her seniors in the institute, helped him.

Also read: Kolkata gang rape: Police trace accused’s call to vice-principal, find digital footprint

“Their mobile phone location showed them moving around Ballygunge Station Road and Fern Place on the evening of June 26. The mobile tower dump is being used for the purpose,” the officer said.

The movement of the three accused is very important for the sake of the investigation, he said. “We are analysing the call detail records; we need to know the purpose of these meetings, which could have links to the case,” he said.

Trio giving contradictory statements

According to the detectives, the trio were giving contradictory statements to mislead the police. “Because these three are law students, they know certain tricks. They are giving out contradictory statements to confuse us,” he said.

The police have questioned the vice-principal of the college, Dr Nayna Chatterji, twice about her conversation with Mishra, who had called her on the morning of June 26.

On Wednesday, the investigators also talked to some of the 16 people who were present at the college on June 25 when the crime happened, he said.

Also read: Kolkata: Law student 'gangrape' pre-planned; three PILs to be filed in case

A stain was found on a bed sheet seized from the guard’s room and the police are trying to find out if that had any connection with the rape.

Bar Council expels accused

In a related development, the Bar Council of West Bengal on Wednesday decided to expel Mishra from its membership and struck off his name from its rolls.

“We are all ashamed of the barbarous crime alleged to have been committed by [Mishra],” Bar Council chairman Ashok Deb told reporters.

Deb said the state bar council will also inform the Bar Council of India of its decision to expel Mishra from its rolls.

Also read: Kolkata gangrape: SIT collects DNA, seizes hockey stick, CCTV footage

The South Calcutta Law College on Tuesday terminated the services of Mishra and expelled the two other students arrested in connection with the alleged gang rape.

Mishra was working as a temporary staffer since 2024 on a contract extended periodically.

DD takes over probe

Meanwhile, the Detective Department (DD) of the Kolkata Police on Wednesday took over the investigation of the crime, an officer said.

“So far, the SIT had been probing into the matter. Now, the DD section will be investigating. Necessary documents have been handed over. They have added charges like kidnapping and causing harm with dangerous weapons,” he said.

Also read: Kolkata gangrape | CCTV footage shows student being dragged by 2 accused: Police

The survivor’s father on Wednesday said he has faith in the Kolkata Police.

“I want nothing but stringent punishment against the criminals,” he said.

(With agency inputs)