The Tragedy of Trust: A Law Student’s Rape and the Silence Imposed by a Threat

The Tragedy of Trust: A Law Student’s Rape and the Silence Imposed by a Threat

Date: July 3, 2025

In what can only be described as a horrifying betrayal of trust, a young law college student in Kolkata was allegedly raped by a man she knew — Monojit Mishra, infamously known as "Mango." The case has sent shockwaves across the nation, not only because of the crime itself but because of the method used to suppress the victim's voice: a video threat.

According to reports, Mishra recorded the assault and threatened to make the video public, effectively silencing the survivor with the fear of social shame and digital humiliation. He allegedly told her, "Tum police ke paas nahi jaaogi. Yeh video sabko bhej dunga." (You won’t go to the police. I’ll send this video to everyone.)

This was not just sexual assault — it was psychological warfare.

When Fear Becomes the First Punishment

Rape is not merely a physical act. It is a violent invasion of the mind, body, and dignity. But what makes this case even more harrowing is the weaponization of technology against the victim.

The threat of releasing a rape video is not only blackmail — it is an extension of the rape itself. It turns a crime into a tool of prolonged silence, creating a prison for the survivor, where fear replaces justice and shame replaces courage.

In many Indian cases, survivors are scared not only of societal backlash but also of being doubly victimized by public shaming — especially if evidence of the assault is used against them.

How Safe Are Our Students in Educational Institutions?

The survivor is a law student, ironically studying the very system that is supposed to protect her. If a future lawyer — educated, aware, and legally conscious — is not safe from such brutality, what hope remains for countless others?

Our colleges are supposed to be safe havens for learning, growth, and empowerment — not places where predators roam freely under the garb of friendship or familiarity.

Digital Exploitation and the Law

India has strict laws under:

IPC 376 (Rape)

IT Act Sections 66E & 67A (Violation of privacy and transmission of sexually explicit material)

POCSO, if the victim is a minor.

But despite laws, enforcement and survivor protection remain weak. There is still a huge gap between what is written in the legal books and what is practiced on the streets or campuses.

The Bigger Crisis: Normalizing Silence

The most dangerous part of this incident is the cultural normalization of silence.

In villages, towns, and even elite colleges, rape victims are taught not to speak up — not because the law won’t help, but because society won’t forgive. The fear of being judged, shamed, and blamed often outweighs the hope of justice.

When videos become threats, and silence becomes the norm, we as a society have failed.

What Must Happen Now

1. Immediate and fast-tracked trial of the accused under stringent sections.

2. Lifetime anonymity and protection for the survivor.

3. Tech surveillance crackdowns on the creation and circulation of sexual assault videos.

4. Institutional support in colleges: Every university must have a sexual harassment redressal committee that works and protects.

5. Shame the rapist, not the survivor: Social campaigns must shift the shame where it belongs — on the perpetrator.

Final Thoughts

Monojit "Mango" Mishra must not be remembered as just another name in a long list of perpetrators. He must be remembered as an example of what happens when predators are emboldened by silence, and technology is used as a weapon of terror.

To remain silent is to allow the next victim to suffer the same fate.

Let justice not just be served — let it be seen.

If you're a survivor or know someone who is, reach out. You are not alone. Your voice matters.

📞 Helpline: 181 (Women Helpline), 1091 (Police)