**Kolkata Police Arrest Security Guard in College Gang-Rape Case**
A security guard from South Kolkata Law College was arrested by the Kolkata Police on Saturday in connection with the gang-rape of a first-year student on the college grounds. This marks the fourth arrest in the case, following the apprehension of three others, including the main suspect, a leader from the Trinamool Congress.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the security guard, identified as Pinaki Banerjee, was present during the incident. He reportedly left his post at the direction of the accused, leaving the victim unattended despite her desperate pleas for help. Authorities stated that Banerjee failed to report the incident to college officials or the police, which constituted negligence on his part. His lack of action was confirmed during questioning, leading to his arrest.
The 24-year-old victim was assaulted for several hours inside the security guard’s room on June 25 by Monojit Mishra, the primary accused, who is a former president of the college’s Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad unit. Two other current students were also present and did not intervene during the crime. The incident came to public attention on Friday, igniting widespread outrage.
The victim alleged that the security guard was instructed to sit outside the room while the college’s main gate was locked, preventing her escape. She claimed that despite the guard’s presence, he did not take any action to assist her.
Mishra was arrested on Wednesday, while co-accused Zaib Ahmed, a first-year student, and Pramit Mukherjee, a second-year student, were taken into custody on Thursday. According to the victim’s account, she was attacked when she arrived on campus to submit an examination form. She was forcibly taken to the guard room, where she was assaulted after rejecting Mishra’s marriage proposal. He allegedly recorded the assault and later used the footage to blackmail her.
A medical examination corroborated the victim’s claims, revealing evidence of forceful penetration, bite marks, and scratches on her body. The incident has sparked significant political controversy in West Bengal, particularly due to the involvement of a student leader from the ruling Trinamool Congress. This incident follows closely on the heels of another tragic case involving the rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor in Kolkata.
In response to the outrage, the Trinamool Congress condemned the gang-rape and urged against politicizing the matter. West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja stated that the state government stands firmly with the victim and her family. Meanwhile, the opposition BJP has criticized the incident, highlighting concerns about student safety in educational institutions across the state.
**FAQ**
**Q: What actions have been taken against the accused in the Kolkata gang-rape case?**
A: Four individuals have been arrested, including the main accused, a Trinamool Congress leader, and a security guard who failed to assist the victim during the incident.
