‘He virtually ran the college’: TMC student leader accused in rape case thrived unchecked on campus

Even after graduating, Monojit Misra now the prime accused in the alleged rape of a student at a South Kolkata law college remained a dominant figure on campus, allegedly backed by political connections and a loyal network of followers.

Misra, 31, is a former president of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) unit at the college and was known to wield unchecked authority, students and local party members say. He was arrested earlier this week alongside two associates — Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20) — both current members of the college’s TMCP unit and part of his so-called group, “Team MM.”

According to multiple students and insiders, Misra’s influence extended far beyond student politics. After completing his graduation, he was reportedly appointed as a "casual" clerical staffer by the college’s governing body led by Trinamool Congress MLA Ashok Deb, a move that many say solidified his grip on the institution. Multiple calls to Deb by this publication went unanswered.

“He virtually ran the college,” said a current TMCP member and student. “From Saraswati Puja to academic symposiums and party events, nothing happened without his involvement. His orders were law on campus.”

Former students allege that Misra had a history of intimidation, including ransacking CCTV installations and abducting a rival student leader — incidents that led to two suspensions. Yet, his proximity to local TMC councilors and MLAs, evidenced by numerous photos on his social media accounts, allegedly insulated him from lasting consequences.

Graffiti on campus walls celebrating “Monojit da” as a hero of Team MM underscore the deep influence he wielded. One wall reads, “Monojit da is in our hearts” with “We are all TMCP supporters” scrawled above it.

Misra also held the position of secretary in the South Kolkata unit of TMCP until recently. Trinankur Bhattacharya, current president of the TMCP, distanced the party from Misra, stating, “Whoever he may be — party leader or not — he should face exemplary punishment if found guilty.”

Opposition leaders have seized on the incident to highlight what they call the politicization of educational institutions. CPI(M)’s student wing SFI called Misra a “known criminal” with pending cases, while BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari posted on X, calling the case “a blatant proof of the corruption of educational institutions” under the TMC’s student wing.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations. “Police must ensure maximum punishment. But we must also examine how such individuals come close to our party and misuse that access,” he said on X.

As public outrage swells, the case has brought renewed scrutiny to the unchecked power wielded by political operatives within West Bengal’s academic institutions — and the cost borne by students caught in that web.