Kolkata — Monojit Mishra, the prime accused in the June 25 gang-rape of a 24-year-old law student inside South Calcutta Law College, has claimed that the scratch marks found on his body are “love bites”, not evidence of resistance. This claim was made through his lawyer Raju Ganguly, who also questioned the veracity of the rape allegation and called for a forensic examination of the survivor’s phone.
Lawyer Questions Rape Allegation
Speaking to ANI, Ganguly said:
“I asked him (Monojit) what happened… I told him there are allegations of scratch marks from nails. He took off his shirt. I pointed to one mark and asked what it is. He said, ‘It’s a love bite.’ When I asked who gave it, police took him away.”
The lawyer further added:
“I feel that perhaps this is not a rape case. I have not come to a conclusion. I will be able to tell you by July 20 whether this is rape or not.”
He urged the authorities to seize and conduct forensic tests on the victim’s mobile phone and examine its call records, implying potential inconsistencies in the complaint.
What the Police and Medical Reports Say
Contrary to the accused’s claims, the medical report on Monojit Mishra noted fresh scratch marks on his body, described as consistent with defensive injuries, suggesting the survivor fought back during the assault.
The survivor’s medical examination also revealed signs of forceful penetration, bite marks, and nail scratches, corroborating her account of the assault inside the college’s security guard room. Additionally, CCTV footage captured the accused dragging the woman across campus, strengthening the prosecution’s case.
Status of the Case
So far, four individuals have been arrested:
- Monojit Mishra – Prime accused and college alumnus.
- Zaib Ahmed – Co-accused, senior student.
- Pramit Mukherjee – Co-accused, senior student.
- Pinaki Bandyopadhyay – College security guard who allegedly assisted.
All four are currently in police custody till July 1.
⚖️ Public Reaction and Legal Proceedings
The incident has sparked public outrage and protests in Kolkata, with demands for stringent punishment and institutional accountability. The college expelled all accused and suspended classes indefinitely. Monojit’s claim of innocence and his lawyer’s insinuations have led to widespread criticism for attempting to shift focus away from the survivor’s testimony and medical evidence.
The investigation is ongoing, and further forensic evidence is expected to play a critical role in the legal outcome.