Victim under pressure to withdraw complaint

KOLKATA: The St Paul’s Cathedral Mission College student — who was stripped in college by former students and a staffer — alleged that he has been receiving threats via calls and on social media asking him to withdraw his complaint.

Education minister Partha Chatterjee rapped the college for taking time to conduct an inquiry.

On Monday, the victim lodged another complaint with the college authority and Ahmherst Street police, who have promised him safety. Police searched five spots in North 24 Parganas, Tangra and Ghatakpukur in South 24 Parganas on Monday night but no one was arrested.

The victim — secretary of the students’ welfare committee — said he had resolved not to withdraw the complaints. “They have already done whatever harm they could have done to me. There is no point in backing out now,” he said.

The incident occurred last month when the victim asked about the expenditure of the amount spent for helping financially weak students. “I sought clarifications from a second-year student, also a committee member. But he tried to overpower me and was joined by two more students who pulled down my trouser. The college clerk videographed the incident,” he said.

The video was circulated among other students. “I discussed the episode with seniors in the students’ union and decided to inform the college authority. They promised to stand by me,” he said.

Chatterjee on Tuesday said: “I want to know the reason behind the college taking a week to conduct the inquiry. It is nothing but buying time. If there is any delay or lapse on the part of the college authorities, I will ask Calcutta University to take immediate action against them.”

Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) has expelled three accused from the party.