bjp-team-heads-to-kolkata-to-probe-law-college-rape-case

A four-member central fact-finding team of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) arrived in Kolkata on Monday, sharply criticising the Mamata Banerjee-led government following the alleged gangrape of a law student at South Calcutta Law College in Kasba.

 

The team, constituted on the instructions of BJP national president J.P. Nadda, includes former Mumbai Police Commissioner and MP Satyapal Singh, former Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi, Bar Council chairman and MP Manan Kumar Mishra, and former Tripura Chief Minister and MP Biplab Kumar Deb.

 

The delegation has been tasked with ascertaining on-ground facts related to the incident, engaging with the victim’s family, and examining the political links of the accused, one a former student and leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s student wing, and two others currently enrolled at the college.

 

Deb, who arrived in Kolkata from Bengaluru earlier in the day and was received by BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul at the airport, delivered a blistering critique of the state's governance. “Law and order in Bengal has completely collapsed. Even institutions where law is taught are not safe. The people of Bengal, especially women, are living in fear,” he told the press.

 

He went on to accuse Chief Minister Banerjee of double standards. “While Mamata is quick to send delegations to other states, she obstructs BJP delegations from investigating crimes in Bengal. What kind of democracy is this?” Deb asked.

 

The delegation has formally sought permission from the Kolkata Police Commissioner and West Bengal Chief Secretary to visit the site of the incident and meet the survivor’s family. However, Deb noted that the administration had yet to issue a response. Police sources later indicated that access may be granted on Tuesday.

 

Echoing Deb's sentiments, Satyapal Singh raised doubts over the prospects of justice under the current dispensation. “Today, crimes are taking place even in colleges, hospitals and law enforcement institutions in Bengal. There is serious doubt whether justice will be served in this case,” he said.

 

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | A four-member investigation committee on a visit to Kolkata regarding the alleged gang rape case.

Former Union Minister and committee member Satpal Singh said, "...We have come here on the instructions of BJP National President JP Nadda...Every… pic.twitter.com/gnbl0WJPGp

— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2025

 

The incident, which allegedly involves individuals linked to the TMC’s student arm, has triggered statewide protests. Several BJP leaders, including state unit president Sukanta Majumdar, were detained by police while protesting in Kolkata on Sunday.

 

The BJP has accused the ruling party of shielding the accused and has framed the assault as symptomatic of a wider breakdown in law and order under TMC rule.

 

In a statement issued later, the Trinamool Congress condemned what it described as the BJP’s politicisation of a tragic incident. “The BJP is trying to destabilise Bengal and exploit a sensitive issue for political gain. The police have already initiated a thorough investigation. The law will take its course,” the party said.

 

The delegation which comprises former Union Ministers Satpal Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi, Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb, and Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra, has been tasked with visiting the site of the incident and submitting a detailed report to BJP National President JP Nadda.

 

Speaking before departure, Satpal Singh, a former senior police officer, said, “Women are becoming unsafe in West Bengal. Last year, a similar incident occurred in RG Kar Medical College, after which there were several protests against the West Bengal government. Now, another incident took place at the Law College. The main accused is said to be a member of the TMC. The statements made by the members of the state government show their mindset. It is a very unfortunate incident.”

 

#WATCH | Delhi: Kolkata alleged gangrape case | The four-member investigation committee of the BJP leaves for Kolkata.

Former Union Minister and member of the committee, Satpal Singh says "Women are becoming unsafe in West Bengal. Last year, an incident took place at RG Kar… pic.twitter.com/nhehMsdpDU

— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2025

 

He added that the committee intends to speak to all stakeholders, assess campus security, and meet the family of the victim. “We will also ask the police what they have done. I hope Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will allow our team to visit all the places,” Singh said.

Also read: Kolkata gangrape: Medical report confirms assault, guard arrested

 

Meenakshi Lekhi, also a former Union Minister, cited the need for accountability, particularly within academic institutions. “There will be a factual investigation to see how a person who has been involved in criminal incidents was allowed to enter the University. The biggest thing is that there is a female Chief Minister in West Bengal, and such horrible incidents are happening there again and again... I am not in favour of such incidents, wherever they happen.”

 

#WATCH | Delhi: Kolkata alleged gangrape case | The four-member investigation committee of the BJP leaves for Kolkata

Former Union Minister and member of the committee, Meenakashi Lekhi, says, "There will be a factual investigation to see how a person who has been involved in… pic.twitter.com/wJxjthNmbW

— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2025

 

The BJP has condemned the incident in strong terms and reiterated its demand for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The party alleged that the main accused has ties to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), a claim the state government has not formally responded to.

 

The assault reportedly occurred on June 25 inside the premises of the South Calcutta Law College located in Kolkata’s Kasba area. Four individuals, including the prime accused Manojit Mishra, have been arrested. Police authorities have constituted a five-member Special Investigation Team to probe the matter.

 

The incident has reignited debate around women’s safety in educational institutions in West Bengal and has further sharpened the political fault lines ahead of upcoming civic polls. The BJP has positioned the case as indicative of administrative breakdown under the TMC-led government.