Rape allegation at IIM Calcutta sparks political row, complicates ongoing investigation.
Kolkata: A case of alleged rape at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta has snowballed into a political controversy, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP trading blame, even as the father of the alleged victim has questioned the veracity of the complaint.
The incident reportedly occurred late Friday when a woman psychologist lodged a complaint at Haridevpur Police Station, alleging she was raped by a second-year student at the boys’ Lakeview Hostel on campus. According to the complaint, the student lured her in under the guise of a counselling session, offered her food and drink, and allegedly raped her after she lost consciousness. She also claimed she was threatened with dire consequences if she spoke out.
Kolkata Police confirmed that the accused, a student from Karnataka, has been arrested and remanded to police custody till July 19. Investigations are underway, including a review of CCTV footage, entry logs, and security lapses that allowed the woman into the hostel without proper registration.
However, the case took a dramatic turn after the woman’s father told the media that the allegations were “baseless” and that police had “forced” his daughter to file the complaint. This development has cast uncertainty over the case, with some questioning whether political motivations are at play.
The alleged rape comes just weeks after a law student was reportedly gangraped inside South Calcutta Law College, where a Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) leader was among the accused. That incident had triggered widespread protests and criticism of the ruling party.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh questioned the BJP and the Union government’s silence on the IIM incident, arguing that similar scrutiny should apply to institutions under central control. “If we were blamed for the Law College case, the BJP should answer for this,” he said.
In response, BJP state president and Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar said he had sought a detailed report from the IIM Calcutta director. Meanwhile, Congress workers and SFI activists staged protests outside the IIM campus.
Retired IPS officer Nazrul Islam called the situation “complex” in light of the father’s statement. “This might be a political diversion tactic in the wake of the Law College case involving a TMC leader,” he said.
IIM Calcutta officials confirmed they are cooperating fully with police but declined to issue a formal statement until the investigation concludes.
As the probe continues, the incident has become not just a legal matter but a flashpoint in Bengal’s political landscape, highlighting how serious allegations can quickly become entwined in partisan battles.
