'Let law take its course': Father of Kolkata gang-rape accused Manojit Mishra says they haven't spoken in 5 years; adds he cut ties over son's political ways
KOLKATA: Despite living barely four houses apart in Kalighat, priest Robin Mishra hasn’t spoken to his son Manojit Mishra in nearly five years — and doesn’t plan to.
Now, as Manojit finds himself at the centre of a gang-rape case linked to a south Kolkata law college, his father says he has no intention of standing by him if he is guilty.
“Let him fight his case. Let the law take its course. The survivor is also someone’s daughter. If he has done it, let him be held accountable for his deeds,” said Robin, who severed ties with his son over what he calls a “downward spiral into politics and violence”.
Manojit had enrolled at the law college in 2007 and was expected to graduate in 2012 but dropped out midway. A few years later, in 2017, he re-enrolled in the five-year BA LLB programme. However, his academic journey was repeatedly overshadowed by his deep involvement in campus politics.
Sources said he was removed from the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad ’s college unit in 2021 over allegations of rowdyism — only to return the next year as a contractual staffer, with a governing body appointment. An ex-student, who was his batchmate, alleged: “We had 120 seats. Manojit was the 121st. Everyone knew it, but no one dared raise a question — he had political protection.”
Neighbours paint a picture of a man with a troubled personal life and a growing sense of impunity. After his mother and sister left and his grandmother passed away in 2023, Manojit lived alone. “He would host drinking binges, and often fights would break out. Just a few days ago, one of the co-accused created a scene here,” said a local resident. Another recalled seeing his lawyer-girlfriend visit him regularly.
Manojit’s political footprint on campus has long sparked concern. He was involved in vandalizing the principal’s office in 2017, which led to the disbanding of the TMCP unit at the college. Despite no official student wing remaining, Manojit continued to wield influence — organising events and issuing instructions to students and even staff.
His leadership style, say insiders, was intimidating and often bordered on abuse. Sources claimed multiple molestation and harassment complaints were lodged against him at Gariahat and Kasba police stations over the years — but no legal action was taken.
He graduated in 2022 and began practising law at Alipore court, but re-entered the college system in 2023 via a backdoor administrative post. His efforts to revive a political role continued — though he was excluded from the party’s south Kolkata district committee in 2022. More recently, he sought a position in TMCP Yuva, but TMCP South Kolkata president Sarthak Banerjee denied knowledge of any active unit at the college.
Even as the probe into the rape case deepens, Manojit’s father remains firm in his stance: “If he’s guilty, he must face consequences. I’ve said it before — I don’t support what he’s become.”
Now, as Manojit finds himself at the centre of a gang-rape case linked to a south Kolkata law college, his father says he has no intention of standing by him if he is guilty.
“Let him fight his case. Let the law take its course. The survivor is also someone’s daughter. If he has done it, let him be held accountable for his deeds,” said Robin, who severed ties with his son over what he calls a “downward spiral into politics and violence”.
Manojit had enrolled at the law college in 2007 and was expected to graduate in 2012 but dropped out midway. A few years later, in 2017, he re-enrolled in the five-year BA LLB programme. However, his academic journey was repeatedly overshadowed by his deep involvement in campus politics.
Sources said he was removed from the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad ’s college unit in 2021 over allegations of rowdyism — only to return the next year as a contractual staffer, with a governing body appointment. An ex-student, who was his batchmate, alleged: “We had 120 seats. Manojit was the 121st. Everyone knew it, but no one dared raise a question — he had political protection.”
Neighbours paint a picture of a man with a troubled personal life and a growing sense of impunity. After his mother and sister left and his grandmother passed away in 2023, Manojit lived alone. “He would host drinking binges, and often fights would break out. Just a few days ago, one of the co-accused created a scene here,” said a local resident. Another recalled seeing his lawyer-girlfriend visit him regularly.
Manojit’s political footprint on campus has long sparked concern. He was involved in vandalizing the principal’s office in 2017, which led to the disbanding of the TMCP unit at the college. Despite no official student wing remaining, Manojit continued to wield influence — organising events and issuing instructions to students and even staff.
His leadership style, say insiders, was intimidating and often bordered on abuse. Sources claimed multiple molestation and harassment complaints were lodged against him at Gariahat and Kasba police stations over the years — but no legal action was taken.
He graduated in 2022 and began practising law at Alipore court, but re-entered the college system in 2023 via a backdoor administrative post. His efforts to revive a political role continued — though he was excluded from the party’s south Kolkata district committee in 2022. More recently, he sought a position in TMCP Yuva, but TMCP South Kolkata president Sarthak Banerjee denied knowledge of any active unit at the college.
Even as the probe into the rape case deepens, Manojit’s father remains firm in his stance: “If he’s guilty, he must face consequences. I’ve said it before — I don’t support what he’s become.”
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