A BJP fact-finding team probing the alleged gang-rape of a law student in Kolkata faced resistance from West Bengal officials. The team accused the TMC government of failing to ensure women’s safety, calling out rising crimes in academic institutions under a woman-led state administration.
In a politically charged development, a four-member fact-finding team from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reached Kolkata on Monday to investigate the alleged gang-rape of a law student in South Calcutta Law College, located in the Kasba area. The incident has ignited a fresh row between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government over women’s safety in West Bengal.
The delegation, formed under the directive of BJP National President J.P. Nadda, includes senior party leaders—Rajya Sabha MP and former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi, former Union Minister Satyapal Singh, and Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra. They were received at Kolkata Airport by local BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul.
Speaking to the media upon arrival, Paul explained that the team initially proceeded to a hotel in New Town before heading to Lalbazar, Kolkata Police Headquarters, where they sought a meeting with Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma. The team also formally requested an appointment with the West Bengal Chief Secretary by 3 PM.
However, controversy erupted when the BJP team alleged that they were denied access to South Calcutta Law College and prevented from meeting key administrative officials. “This is a clear violation of democratic norms,” Biplab Deb said. “The Chief Minister sends delegations to Hathras and Pahalgam, but when the opposition visits Bengal, they’re stopped. Women are not safe here—not even law students.”
Echoing the sentiment, Meenakshi Lekhi criticized the state’s leadership, stating, “Such incidents are recurring under a female Chief Minister. If the administration is unable to meet us, one must question what they are doing at all.”
Satyapal Singh added that the team came at the directive of J.P. Nadda and expected cooperation from the Mamata Banerjee-led government. “We hope Mamata Didi’s government will allow us to visit the site and meet officials,” he remarked.
The fact-finding team, which visited the South Calcutta Law College following a brief meeting with Commissioner Verma—who assured them of progress in the case—faced resistance from both the police and student groups. A standoff occurred at the college gates, where police initially blocked the team’s entry, prompting protests and counter-slogans from BJP youth wing workers and left-leaning student organizations. A brief scuffle broke out before police intervened to restore order and permit the BJP team to enter the premises.
Inside the college, the delegation interacted with faculty members, including the vice principal, to gather firsthand information. During their visit, Lekhi alleged that the accused in the gang-rape case had been appointed through improper channels. “Criminals are being recruited as ad-hoc teachers or staff without verification,” she said. “The prime accused was reportedly arrested multiple times since 2011 and is still associated with the ruling party’s student wing. This is nothing short of criminalisation of academics.”
The team strongly criticized the Trinamool Congress government for what they claim is a growing trend of violence against women in educational institutions. “Incidents like these are becoming regular in institutions like medical and law colleges,” Deb noted, referencing the RG Kar Medical College case from last year, where a young doctor was reportedly raped and murdered. “Despite having a woman as Chief Minister, no woman in Bengal is safe.”
Singh emphasized the failure of the state machinery to act decisively. “Many crimes against women go unreported, and in those cases where FIRs are filed, there’s often no follow-up,” he said.
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The committee is expected to submit a detailed report to BJP National President J.P. Nadda in the coming days, outlining their findings and recommendations.
Meanwhile, the incident has reignited the debate over law and order in Bengal, particularly under a woman-led government. As tensions continue to rise, the demand for accountability, justice, and safer academic environments for students—especially women—remains stronger than ever.
