Surendranath College, one of Kolkata's oldest and most prestigious educational institutions, has found itself at the center of a major controversy. (Image X @iherrsonniger)
Kolkata: Surendranath College, one of Kolkata's oldest and most prestigious educational institutions, has found itself at the center of a major controversy. State politics have heated up following the recovery of approximately ₹1 crore in cash, two air-conditioned bedrooms, bottles of liquor, packets of condoms, and a revolver from the college's student union room. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has leveled serious allegations against the Trinamool Congress regarding this matter.
The college's student union room was opened after a hiatus of nearly one year. In 2025, the Calcutta High Court had directed that student union rooms in colleges be sealed off due to the suspension of student union elections. This order was issued in the wake of a gang-rape incident involving a female student within the student union room of South Kolkata Law College.
Recently, the state government issued directives to audit the expenditure records of student union funds across colleges. Consequently, the college administration initiated a cleanup of the student union room on Tuesday, leading to a series of shocking revelations.
During the cleanup operation, two large boxes were recovered from an old wooden cupboard located inside the student union room. These boxes were packed with bundles of ₹100 and ₹500 currency notes. According to the college administration, the total cash recovered amounts to approximately ₹1 crore.
However, a significant portion of the cash had been damaged by termites, suggesting that the money had been stashed there for a considerable period. The BJP has alleged that these funds may be linked to alleged irregularities and illicit extortion activities surrounding the college admission process.
Following the discovery of the cash, an extensive search operation was conducted across the college campus. During this search, two bedrooms were discovered within the college premises. These rooms were equipped with air conditioners, attached restrooms, beds, and high-end mattresses and pillows. According to local media reports, these rooms had been inaugurated as a "terrace facility" during the tenure of the previous Trinamool-led government. The college administration alleged that these rooms were utilized by an influential Trinamool leader, Debashish Bandyopadhyay—alias "Kankata Debu"—and his son, Shivashish. It is further alleged that college staff members were even made to provide massages to these leaders. However, Debashish Bandyopadhyay refuted these allegations, stating that he had no knowledge of any such bedrooms.
The matter took a more serious turn when several liquor bottles were recovered from the college rooftop. Additionally, packets of condoms were found in the students' common room. Furthermore, a revolver, concealed within a black packet, was recovered from inside the Students' Union room. Upon receiving this information, the police arrived at the scene and seized the weapon. These recoveries have left the college administration, students, and the general public in a state of shock.
Following the revelation of the incident, BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh visited the college and demanded an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to ascertain the source of the recovered cash. He alleged that lakhs of rupees were extorted from students in exchange for college admission. According to him, leaders of the Trinamool Students' Council would demand exorbitant sums from students under the pretext of securing their admission. Sajal Ghosh claimed that students are typically charged only 50 to 100 rupees as a Students' Union fee; therefore, it is impossible for 1.5 crore rupees to accumulate in the Students' Union fund within a single year solely through legitimate means.
He further alleged that the money amassed through this alleged corruption ultimately found its way to the Trinamool leadership. However, the Trinamool Congress has not yet issued any official response regarding these allegations.
According to reports, for several years now, allegations have surfaced in numerous colleges across West Bengal accusing student leaders of extorting sums ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 rupees from students in exchange for admission. In 2017, the then Education Minister, Partha Chatterjee, had also issued a stern warning to the Trinamool Students' Council to refrain from engaging in such activities. Despite this, allegations persisted that this practice continued behind the scenes.
Since 2019, student union elections have not been held in most colleges across the state. Nevertheless, the influence of student leaders continued to prevail on campuses. The Vice-Chancellor of one university claimed that even though the student union offices had been officially closed, they continued to be utilized. Student leaders would collect funds from students under the pretext of organizing various events and festivals.
Teachers and non-teaching staff at Surendranath College have also alleged that the student union exercised a tight grip over the institution. Those who failed to comply with their directives faced harassment.
Staff members claim that the student union office was being operated akin to a private business enterprise, all under the guise of student politics. It is alleged that deserving and economically disadvantaged students were overlooked, while those who paid bribes were granted admission on a preferential basis.
Experts believe that the recovery made at Surendranath College may be just the tip of the iceberg. Following the state government's order to audit student union funds, there is speculation that similar instances may come to light in other colleges as well. Currently, an investigation into the recovery of cash, a revolver, and other items is underway; the entire episode has raised serious questions regarding West Bengal's education system and the state of student politics.
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