Kolkata, 2 July

In a shocking revelation, the public prosecutor told a Kolkata court that the three men accused of gang-raping a 24-year-old law student at South Calcutta Law College gave her an inhaler during the assault only so they could continue torturing her. The survivor suffered a panic attack and pleaded for hospital care, but instead, accused Monojit Mishra instructed Zaib Ahmed and Pramit Mukherjee to buy an inhaler.

Prosecutor Sourin Ghosal stated in court that the inhaler was used to stabilise the victim temporarily so the accused could resume their abuse. The survivor recounted how she begged for help but was ignored as the accused focused on prolonging the assault. Police investigations corroborated her account by tracing the pharmacy where the inhaler was purchased and seizing the ₹350 UPI payment receipt.

The three accused were arrested and have been remanded to police custody until 8 July. Mishra, who worked as temporary staff at the college and is an alumnus, has been terminated. Ahmed and Mukherjee, both current students, have been rusticated. Additionally, college security guard Pinaki Bandyopadhyay was arrested for allegedly ignoring the crime.

Evidence including digital footprints, medical examinations, and crime scene findings have supported the survivor’s complaint. The survivor’s testimony and corroborating evidence have strengthened the case, as the shocking details of the attack continue to spark outrage in the city.