‘Classes suspended': Kolkata law college campus where alleged rape took place closed indefinitely

Indian Express

18 hours ago

A notification issued over the website of a South Kolkata law college on Sunday, where a 24-year-old student was allegedly raped last week, stated that classes will remain suspended and the college premises will be closed for all students until further notice. The decision was taken by the college's governing body.
Earlier on Monday, students of the law college submitted a deputation to the principal, raising concerns over campus safety and demanding structural reforms.
The letter stated, 'The environment of the institution, both in terms of safety and academic standards, has been compromised and degraded due to repeated and unchecked malpractices, many of which stem from political interference, administrative inaction, and lack of structural accountability.'
The students outlined a series of demands aimed at restoring 'dignity, discipline, and academic purpose' on campus.
Among the demands was the creation of an 'apolitical' campus environment, with a strict prohibition on the formation or operation of political units or activities within the college until the next student body elections.
They also sought the installation of CCTV cameras at all entry and exit points, corridors, classrooms, libraries, staircases, union rooms, and common areas to improve transparency and deter misconduct.
The letter emphasized that 'security and education' must be the college's top priorities, calling for a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism available both online and offline.
The students further demanded that authorities be held accountable for 'systemic negligence', stating that responsibility should not be limited to isolated incidents, but must address a broader culture of tolerance for illegal and disruptive behaviour, 'often linked to political affiliations'.
Citing a visible 'decline' in educational quality, they called for the revival of academic activities, including moot court sessions, legal aid camps, debates, and student academic forums, to strengthen legal training and professional development.
They also demanded strict adherence to the academic calendar, with scheduled class timings enforced and penalties for habitual defaulters among both students and faculty.
Among the logistical issues raised was the demand for secure access to the union room, with its keys held by a neutral college authority to prevent unauthorized control by students or staff.
They also asked for the formation of an active Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the POSH Act, 2013. In case the current ICC is inactive or compromised, they said victims should be guided to file complaints with the UGC or the Ministry of Education.
The students called for the establishment of a non-political student safety committee, tasked with conducting awareness drives, raising safety concerns, and representing victims without fear of retribution.
On the alleged rave and rape incident on June 25, the students demanded a 'zero-tolerance policy on drugs, violence, and sexual misconduct', along with a fair and independent inquiry into the matter.
They also requested access to counselling and mental health services, suggesting the appointment of a full-time counsellor or a partnership with a mental health organisation.
Insisting on mandatory cooperation with law enforcement, they asked the college to hand over all relevant CCTV footage and evidence from the day of the incident to the police and fully assist the investigation to ensure justice is served.
The letter also included a demand for the formation of a women's grievance redressal cell, independent and apolitical, to address issues specific to female students.
Finally, they called for fair and democratic student council elections, limited strictly to current students, with the process conducted in accordance with statutory provisions.
'We hope our representation will be taken in the right spirit, as it comes from a genuine place of concern and responsibility,' the letter concluded.