In a decisive move on July 3, 2025, the Calcutta High Court issued a sweeping directive: all student union rooms in colleges and universities across West Bengal where student elections remain pending must be immediately locked.
Context: A Tragic Trigger at South Calcutta Law College
This urgent measure follows a horrific gang rape incident on June 25, 2025, at South Calcutta Law College. The victim reported being held and tortured for hours in multiple locations within the campus, including the student union room—a space allegedly controlled by the main accused, former student Monojit Mishra. The victim said the union room was misused as a site for intimidation, extortion, and abuse.
Legal Ruling: Use Restricted, Elections Pending
A Division Bench comprising Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Smita Das De ruled that until student elections are conducted, union rooms cannot be used for recreational activities and must remain shut. They may be opened only for official purposes, and that too with prior written approval from the college principal or university registrar. Importantly, the court clarified that South Calcutta Law College’s union room would remain sealed outright, not even under restricted reopening provisions, due to its involvement in the ongoing investigation.
Elections Suspended Since 2017, Former Students Still in Control
Since 2017, no student union elections have been held in West Bengal’s colleges, including at several universities. As a result, no formal student councils exist; nonetheless, politically backed former students—often referred to as “dadas”—continue to exert control. These individuals reportedly manage campus events, collect funds during admissions, and influence decision-making—with little accountability and significant misuse of resources.
Broader Institutional and Governance Concerns
Student union rooms had increasingly become hubs for illicit activity. College authorities have voiced concerns over unchecked entry by former students, unauthorized gatherings, harassment, and political dominance within these spaces. In response, Calcutta University already closed all union rooms across its campuses citing misuse in absence of elected bodies.
Judicial Oversight: State Response and Next Steps
The court has directed the West Bengal Higher Education Department to issue a closure order to institutions and to submit an affidavit within two weeks explaining the status of student election timelines. A follow‑up hearing is scheduled for July 17, 2025. Universities and colleges have also been instructed to file their own affidavits detailing how the rape occurred under existing systems and what corrective and security mechanisms have been or will be implemented.
Significance and Implications
- Campus Safety Regime Under Scrutiny: The verdict underscores the urgency to overhaul campus governance and restrict misuse of institutional facilities.
- Pressure for Election Reforms: The direction may catalyze overdue student union elections and push enforcement of the 2017 University Act requiring student councils.
- Institutional Accountability: Colleges and universities are now under judicial oversight to prove steps taken to secure campuses and prevent future abuse.
Looking Ahead
With the next hearing set for July 17, 2025, stakeholders await updates on the state’s roadmap for conducting pending student elections and securing campuses statewide. Meanwhile, the closure of union rooms sends a clear message: unchecked power by former student-affiliates is no longer acceptable.
