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Kasba Law College Gang Rape Shocks Kolkata Again: Are Our Colleges Safe for Women?

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On: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 6:01 PM
Kasba Law College Gang Rape
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Less than a year after the RG Kar tragedy, another sexual assault in a Kolkata college demands urgent action to protect students and ensure institutional accountability.

Kolkata, July 2, 2025 — In a disturbing repeat of last year’s RG Kar Medical College tragedy, Kolkata has once again been shaken by the horrifying gang rape of a 24-year-old female student inside the premises of Kasba Law College. This alarming incident—where the accused include a former student and two staff members—has reignited widespread concerns over the safety of women in educational institutions and the glaring gaps in campus security across the city.

The Kolkata Police acted swiftly, arresting the three accused within 12 hours of the incident being reported. However, the speed of law enforcement intervention cannot erase the trauma inflicted or undo the reality that such brutal acts are still occurring within spaces meant to empower and educate.

The Kasba Law College incident mirrors the RG Kar Medical College case of August 2024, where a 31-year-old postgraduate medical trainee was raped and murdered after a night shift. That case too revealed a frightening lapse in institutional security—no surveillance, no locking mechanisms, and no oversight, even in late hours.

Following the RG Kar case, the West Bengal government had promised increased security in educational and medical institutions. Assurances included installation of CCTV cameras, deployment of women guards, restricted access to vulnerable areas, and designated rest rooms for female staff. Yet, less than a year later, this promise appears largely unfulfilled.

The room at Kasba Law College, where the survivor was attacked, was reportedly easily accessible. Even more shocking is that the alleged perpetrators were not outsiders, but individuals closely associated with the college—a former student and two staff members. Such internal violations speak to a deeper rot and systemic failure in institutional monitoring.

Kolkata, long considered a bastion of cultural richness and progressive values, is now grappling with rising crimes against women. From college campuses to public transport, women report a growing sense of fear and vulnerability. This is not just about one institution or one city—it reflects a nationwide crisis.

According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, over 35,000 crimes against women were recorded in West Bengal alone, with sexual assaults making up a significant portion. Nationally, the numbers are even more staggering—an average of 85 rape cases are reported every day in India. Experts say the actual figures are likely much higher, as many cases go unreported due to social stigma, victim-blaming, or fear of retaliation.

The Kasba Law College survivor alleged that she was filmed during the assault, adding another layer of horror to the crime. If true, it indicates an intent not just to violate, but to exploit and blackmail, a terrifying trend increasingly seen in digital-age sexual crimes.

Justice Delayed is Justice Denied: Conviction Rate Remains Alarming
Despite laws such as the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, passed in the wake of the Nirbhaya case, the conviction rate for rape in India remains abysmally low at just 28%. That means 7 out of 10 rape accused walk free. By contrast, only 5–8% of rape allegations are found to be false, according to independent and court-reviewed data—disproving the myth of frequent false reporting.

This justice gap not only fails survivors but also emboldens perpetrators. Without systemic reforms, robust investigation mechanisms, and speedy trials, justice remains an illusion.

Following the Nirbhaya case in 2012, the Indian government launched the Nirbhaya Fund in 2013 to enhance women’s safety in public spaces and institutions. While the fund had ₹7,213 crore allocated as of 2023–24, only 70% of it has been utilized.

This underutilization reflects bureaucratic apathy and mismanagement. Projects like safe transportation, emergency response systems, and campus safety audits have either stalled or are only partially implemented in most states, including West Bengal.

The most chilling aspect of both the RG Kar and Kasba cases is the identity of the accused. In both cases, they were not strangers but individuals from within the institution—colleagues, former students, or staff members. This makes it harder for victims to report and easier for such crimes to be silenced. In some reports, one of the accused was also linked to a local political party, sparking allegations of power misuse and delayed action.

It is imperative for institutions to vet staff rigorously, conduct regular sensitivity and ethics training, and ensure strict entry regulations, especially during after-hours. Anonymous reporting channels, female-only safety committees, and independent investigations must become standard practice across colleges and universities.

Despite clear data, repeated cases, and widespread public outrage, meaningful ground-level changes remain minimal. College campuses in Kolkata and across India must now adopt a zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct. Surveillance, accountability, and most importantly, a survivor-centric response system should not be optional—they must be mandatory.

As public outrage grows and candlelight vigils are once again held across the city, one question lingers:
Will the Kasba Law College case finally shake the system awake—or will it be remembered as just another headline?

Mandatory Safety Audits: All educational institutions must undergo safety audits by independent bodies.

Active Use of CCTV Surveillance: Cameras should cover all entry, exit, and common areas with real-time monitoring.

Dedicated Women’s Safety Officers: Colleges must appoint trained personnel responsible for handling gender-based issues.

Fast-Track Justice: Set up special courts for gender-based crimes and ensure cases are resolved within a year.

Utilize Nirbhaya Funds Efficiently: State governments must disclose and transparently utilize funds allocated for women’s safety.

Protect Whistleblowers and Survivors: Strict anonymity and safety protocols must be implemented for complainants.

The gang rape at Kasba Law College is not an isolated crime—it’s a reflection of the broader systemic failure to safeguard women’s dignity and safety in places of learning and growth. As public anger simmers, it is critical that the West Bengal government and educational authorities act decisively—not with statements and circulars, but with urgent, on-ground implementation.

Until then, the question remains—if our classrooms aren’t safe, where are women truly safe in India?


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