Page 5 - Kolkata

Law student's gang-rape pre-planned, victim targeted for some time: Police

Three out of the four persons arrested in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a female student at a city-based law college had pre-planned the assault, a police officer said on Monday. Sleuths of the nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the incident also found that the three accused Monojit Mishra, Pratim Mukherjee and Zaid Ahmed had a history of sexually harassing female students of the college. The fourth accused is the college's security guard. According to the officer, the trio would record such episodes on their mobile phones and later use the footage to blackmail the victims. "The entire matter was premeditated. The trio had been plotting for several days to carry out this torture on the victim. We have found that the victim was targeted by the prime accused from the very first day she got admission to the college," the police officer said. Kolkata Police has launched a search for mobile videos allegedly filmed by the trio. "Searches were conducted at

Law college gang rape: BJP's 4 member 'fact-finding team' reaches Kolkata

A four-member 'fact-finding team' constituted by the BJP in connection with the recent gang rape at a law college in Kolkata arrived in the eastern metropolis on Monday morning. The members of the team include former Union ministers Satpal Singh, Meenakshi Lekhi and MPs Biplab Kumar Deb and Manan Kumar Mishra. "Despite being run by a woman chief minister, West Bengal is witnessing one ghastly incident after another in colleges and medical colleges in the state," Deb told reporters after arriving at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here. "Women are not safe in West Bengal... even a law student is not safe," he added. Deb alleged that the team did not receive permission to visit the South Calcutta Law College, or for an audience with the chief secretary. Deb said the team will later submit a report to BJP national president J P Nadda.

Air India Tokyo-Delhi flight diverted to Kolkata over cabin heat issue

According to an official statement from the airline, the flight landed safely and is currently being inspected

Medical report confirms multiple injuries in Kolkata law college rape case

The medical report of Kolkata law student's has confirmed injuries. Four people, including a TMC-linked ex-student and a guard, have been arrested in the rape case so far

NCW chair writes to Bengal chief secy over Kolkata law college gangrape

The National Commission for Women has written to the chief secretary of West Bengal directing urgent action in the South Kolkata gang-rape case and the state police's cooperation for a meeting between a member of the rights panel and the survivor and her family. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar termed the incident "grave" and said it had "shaken public conscience". The women's rights panel took suo motu cognizance of the case on Friday. It has expressed deep concern for the safety, dignity, and well-being of the survivor and stressed the need for a swift institutional response. In her letter to the chief secretary, Rahatkar directed that the state police must fully cooperate with NCW member Archana Mujumdar, who has been deputed to meet the survivor and her family. The commission has also sought an immediate and confidential internal medical examination of the survivor and asked that both internal and external medical reports be submitted to the NCW within three days. Further, the

'What can be done if a friend rapes friend?' TMC leader on Kolkata gangrape

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee says if ex-students can re-enter campus and commit crimes, it suggests suspicious links and raises concerns over how such access was possible

Kolkata student gangrape: Row over perpetrators' links; NCW seeks probe

A woman was allegedly gang-raped at a Kolkata law college, sparking political outrage and protests. Three accused, including a TMC student leader, have been arrested. NCW demands urgent probe

Another shocking gang-rape case reported in Kolkata: Who are the accused?

Another shocking gang-rape case has emerged from Kolkata, nearly 10 months after a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024.

Kolkata gang rape, Boeing crash, Twitter killer executed, Jaishankar on fishermen rights, & more top

Three men, including a former student, were arrested for allegedly raping a 24-year-old woman inside a law college in Kolkata, police officials confirmed today.

RG Kar case: Court to decide on victim's parents' plea to visit crime site

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday left it to the trial court to decide on a plea by the parents of the murdered RG Kar Hospital doctor seeking permission to visit the crime scene. The parents, through their counsel Phiroze Edulji, requested permission to inspect the site of the occurrence of the crime, except the seminar room, where their daughter's body was found on August 9, 2024. Following nationwide outrage and protests in the wake of the on-duty doctor's rape and murder within the premises of the institute, the HC had transferred the case investigation from Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, before whom the plea was moved, said since further investigation is being carried out by the CBI and the ACJM, Sealdah, is in seisin of the issues, no order can be passed without keeping the magistrate informed. Observing that the petitioner can approach the ACJM court with the prayer, Justice Ghosh directed that the ACJM will dispose o

Centre reviews HC order to resume MGNREGA in West Bengal from August 1

Kolkata High Court asks Centre to restart MGNREGA in West Bengal with safeguards against corruption, prompting review of legal and procedural steps

PE firm Blackstone acquires South City Mall in Kolkata for ₹3.2K cr

Real estate services firm Anarock was the sole transaction advisor to the deal

ITC completes acquisition of 24 Mantra Organic brand owner Sresta Natural

Multi-conglomerate ITC has completed the acquisition of Sresta Natural Bioproducts, which owns the '24 Mantra Organic brand' in an all-cash deal valued at Rs 472.50 crore. This will help ITC to expand its play in the fast-growing organic food products segment. The company has completed the acquisition of 100 per cent of the share capital of SNBPL on 13th June, 2025, ITC said in a regulatory filing. On the acquisition cost, ITC said it had an upfront consideration of Rs 400 crore on a cash-free debt-free basis and addition, consideration of up to Rs 72.50 crore, which is payable in the next 24 months. In April ITC had informed it had signed a share purchase agreement with Sresta Natural Bioproducts Private Limited (SNBPL) to acquire 100 per cent stake in the company. This acquisition is "in line with the strategy to augment the company's future-ready portfolio, the transaction is expected to fortify ITC's presence and market standing in the high-growth organic products segment in b

Gap between built up area & carpet area rises in apartment to 40%: Anarock

The difference between super-built-up area and carpet area in apartments has risen over the years with builders increasing average loading percentage to 40 per cent across major cities to provide common amenities, according to Anarock. The average loading percentage was 31 per cent in 2019, and the same has risen to 40 per cent in the January-March quarter of this year, which means flat owners are getting less livable space. In its report, real estate consultant Anarock said that in residential apartments, the average loading factor is the difference between the super-built-up area and carpet area. If the super built-up area is 1,300 square feet and the carpet area 1,000 sq ft, then the loading percentage is 30 per cent. Prashant Thakur, Regional Director & Head - Research & Advisory at ANAROCK Group, said, "While RERA now requires developers to mention the total carpet area provided to homebuyers, no law currently limits the loading factor in projects." "Q1 (January-March) ...

Coal India, Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corp ink pact to develop rail infra

State-owned CIL on Thursday said it has entered into a pact with Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd to develop rail infrastructure of the coal behemoth and its arms. The non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between both companies in Kolkata. "Coal India Ltd (CIL) and Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Limited have executed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 05.06.2025 at Kolkata with an intent of development of Rail Infrastructure of CIL and its subsidiaries," the maharatna firm said in a BSE filing. Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd is a Joint Venture Company between 11 major ports under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, holding 90 per cent of equity capital and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) under the Ministry of Railways, holding 10 per cent of equity capital. The JV was incorporated to provide efficient rail evacuation systems to major ports and to enhance their capacity and throughput. CIL accounts

NIA questions Kolkata travel agency owner in Pakistan espionage probe

Sleuths of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday questioned the owner of a Kolkata-based travel agency in connection with a Pakistan espionage case, an official said. Mohammed Masood Alam, owner of the travel agency, was questioned by the NIA about some suspicious money transactions made through his office on three occasions, he said. The central agency on Saturday conducted searches at the travel agency's office in Kidderpore area, apart from a hotel in Park Circus and a shop in the Alipore area of the city. "He was questioned regarding the three transactions made through his agency, especially the one made on April 3, 2024. His statements were recorded," he added. The NIA sleuths conducted the searches in connection with the arrest of CRPF personnel Moti Ram Jat in Delhi for his alleged links in leaking of classified information to Pakistani intelligence operatives in lieu of money, he said. "These raids were linked to the espionage case. We had seized a few document

Jailed influencer files plea in Kolkata court, says basic amenities denied

The petition also said the influencer is receiving multiple threats from other inmates inside the jail, causing her to fear for her safety and well-being

Legal procedures followed while arresting female influencer: Kolkata Police

Kolkata Police have dismissed criticisms that they have "unlawfully" arrested a 22-year-old female Instagram influencer for allegedly uploading a video with communal comments, and claimed that all legal procedures were followed. They defended the arrest of influencer Sharmistha Panoli saying that the case was "duly investigated and adhering to legal procedures". "Kolkata Police acted lawfully according to the procedure established by law. The accused was not arrested for expressing patriotism or for personal belief; legal actions were taken for sharing offensive content which promotes hatred among the communities," Kolkata Police posted on Facebook on Sunday. "The case was duly investigated and adhering to legal procedures, several attempts were made to serve notice u/s 35 of BNSS to the accused but every time she was found absconding," the Kolkata Police stated. "Consequently a warrant of arrest was issued by the competent court, following which she was apprehended lawfully from .

EC investigates Bengal BJP chief's wife for holding two voter IDs

The Election Commission (EC) has started an investigation into a complaint alleging that the wife of BJP's West Bengal president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar possesses two voter identity cards, a senior official said on Friday. Initial probe found that the minister's wife, Koel Majumdar, holds two voter ID cards with different EPIC numbers one registered in Balurghat and another in Jalpaiguri. While one card was issued under her maiden name, Koel Chowdhury, the second was created after her marriage under the name Koel Majumdar. "This could have been avoided had she submitted Form 18. It is the responsibility of the cardholder to notify the EC of any changes. In this case, the commission was not informed," the official said. He further explained that a new voter card was issued in Balurghat after she submitted Form 6. "Because the EPIC numbers and surnames were different, the error was not immediately detected. We are now verifying the photographs and other personal details

Not opting out of Centre's diplomatic mission, clarifies WB CM Mamata

Reaffirming her party's support for the Union government on matters of external affairs, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Monday said her party was not boycotting the Centre's multi-party diplomatic mission aimed at countering Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and would send its representatives once a formal request is received from the Centre. She stressed that the Centre should not decide which party sends whom as part of the delegation. "We were not contacted about this. Nowadays, they only inform the parliamentary party, not the main outfit. The parliamentary party cannot take policy decisions," the West Bengal Chief Minister said at Kolkata airport before leaving for north Bengal on a three-day official trip. "No request to send a representative's name for the outreach programme came to us. If it had, then of course we could have considered it. We are totally in favour of the country on matters of external affairs. Naming representatives for diplomatic multi-party delegations to count