CCTV backs survivor’s account in Kolkata law college rape case, SIT team expanded as probe deepens

In a significant breakthrough in the alleged rape case at a Kolkata law college, CCTV footage collected from the campus has corroborated the survivor’s account, police officials said on June 29. The development comes as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the incident has been expanded from five to nine members to accelerate the investigation.

The footage — over seven and a half hours long—was retrieved from multiple surveillance cameras installed at the college’s main gate and other key areas on the premises. According to investigators, it confirms the presence of all four accused at the scene on the day of the incident, June 25.

“Yes, the CCTV footage aligns with the victim’s statement,” a senior police officer was quoted as saying on condition of anonymity, referring specifically to the survivor’s claim that she was prevented from leaving the college premises.

The four accused currently in custody include a contractual staff member and former student of the institution, Monojit Mishra (31); two current students, Zaib Ahmed (19) and Pramit Mukherjee (20); and the college’s security guard, Pinaki Banerjee. Police have confirmed that all four appear in the footage from the day the first-year law student was allegedly raped inside a security guard’s room on campus.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Bidisha Kalita (Jadavpur Division) and Assistant Commissioner of Police Pradeep Kumar Ghoshal — who heads the SIT — visited the college on June 29 to examine the crime scene in detail. The investigation team has already reconstructed the crime sequence on Saturday, with the survivor present, for over two hours.

Investigators are also compiling a list of all individuals who accessed the campus on June 25. Based on surveillance footage and witness accounts, several individuals have already been summoned for questioning. Police have also moved to record confidential statements from the survivor and her parents before a magistrate.

Officials say the expansion of the SIT reflects the growing complexity of the case and the volume of evidence under review. As the probe progresses, more witnesses and potential suspects are expected to be questioned in the days ahead.