Kolkata law student gang-rape: Accused revived girl with inhaler to prolong torture, say cops; were desperate to keep her conscious
Times of India | 2 July 2025
KOLKATA: The rapists of the law student showed intense inhumanity by buying an inhaler, not to alleviate her suffering but to prolong the torture, showing both "intent and desperation", Kolkata Police told Alipore court on Tuesday.
"They were very desperate. When the girl became breathless (she had a panic attack when the accused tried to confine and pin her down) she was provided the inhaler, not to revive her but to ensure that she regained her senses so they could assault her sexually," public prosecutor Sourin Ghosal claimed. Seeking further police custody of the accused, the public prosecutor claimed the accused were "very influential and may influence the investigation".
If granted bail, they might "terrorise" the survivor and tamper with evidence, he said. The police also informed the court that not only did the medical report of the survivor corroborate her statement, technical evidence collected by them as well as circumstantial evidence matched her version of events.
"We have told the court that CCTV footage from the chemist's shop from where the inhaler was purchased, mobile locations of the accused, statements of the guard and witnesses match," said an officer. Accused's defence: Consensual act Cops said they had already questioned six of the 17 students present at the college on the evening of June 25 and the college vice-principal, who allegedly received a phone call from prime accused Monojit Mishra the day after the incident.
Monojit and his aides Zaib Ahmed and Pramit Mukherjee did not pray for bail but claimed they were cooperating with the investigations. Monojit insisted there was no sexual assault and the act was consensual. The defence counsel hinted at a conspiracy and asked the court to direct police to examine the call details of the survivor. The counsel for security guard Pinaki Banerjee argued that the latter's authority was limited and requested the court to examine his role and issue an appropriate order. The court sent Monojit, Zaib and Pramit to police custody till July 8 and Pinaki till July 4. Kolkata Police commissioner Manoj Verma said they would do everything possible to ensure a quick custodial trial. "The incident is very sensitive. Investigation is ongoing and we have already gathered multiple pieces of information and evidence which are being verified. Necessary actions are being taken. If proven guilty, strict punishment would be sought for the accused," he said.