UGC Orders Probe Into Dharamshala Student Death Amid Allegations of Ragging, Sexual Harassment; Father Demands Justice

New Delhi: In a shocking incident, a 19-year-old student has died in Dharamshala after allegedly being harassed and ragged by her classmates and a professor.

The student, Pallavi, was in her second year of graduation at the Government College in Dharamshala.

According to her family, she allegedly faced prolonged ragging and sexual harassment at her college, which pushed her into severe mental distress and a decline in her health. Her condition worsened despite treatment at multiple hospitals, and she died during treatment at a hospital in Ludhiana on December 26, 2025.

FIR Filed Against a Professor and Three Classmates 

Following the incident, the deceased student's father has filed an FIR against a professor and three others, alleging ragging and harassment. Earlier, the complaint regarding ragging and harassment had been registered through the Chief Minister's helpline on December 20.

The victim's father, Vikram Kumar, said, "My daughter is no more. I need justice. The accused girls and the professor should be punished. What happened to my kid should not happen to anybody else." 

Further, he alleged in the complaint that on September 18, three female students assaulted her and threatened her, causing her to become mentally disturbed.

“My daughter called me and told me that other students had beaten her. When we brought her home, she was in a state of panic. She was beaten very badly and harassed to such an extent that she went into depression. I want justice," the father added. 

The mother reiterated the demand for justice, citing that they have all her medical reports. 

"I don't want any innocent to get caught. I want a thorough investigation; we have all her medical reports. I want justice for my daughter," said the victim's mother. 

Both parents have appealed for strict action against those responsible, stating that their daughter's suffering must not go unpunished.

The police have registered a case under sections 75, 115(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009.

“The investigation is at a preliminary stage, facts related to sexual allegations against the faculty members and the ragging allegations against colleagues are under consideration and are being verified,” said Dharamshala SP Ashok Ratan. 

‘Harassed and Threatened’ at College

The father has accused Professor Ashok Kumar of making inappropriate advances, mental harassment, and misbehaving with his daughter. He clarified that they were unable to file a complaint earlier due to their daughter's condition.

He also said that the student had recorded a video before her death in which she accused the professor of misbehaviour and mental harassment in the classroom and on the college campus.

“You would have seen the video as well, in which she explains everything regarding the incident. The college administration should feel ashamed,” the grieving father added. 

The video also mentions threats made against her for opposing the professor's actions. The police are now investigating the matter and will take further action based on the evidence, said Dharamshala SP Ashok Ratan. 

UGC Orders Probe

The University Grants Commission also took serious cognisance of the tragic death at the Government Degree College, Dharamshala. The UGC decided to constitute a fact-finding committee and assured that those found guilty would not be spared. It stated that stringent action would follow and reiterated that student safety remains paramount.

Meanwhile, the CPI(M) met the Director General of Police in Shimla and submitted a memorandum demanding a fair and impartial inquiry by a senior police officer.

The party expressed condolences to the family and raised concerns over the alleged delay in police action and the possibility of caste-based discrimination, as the victim belonged to a Scheduled Caste community.

HP State Women's Commission Demands Action

The Himachal Pradesh State Women's Commission has sought a detailed report from the SP Kangra, emphasising the need for an impartial and thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.

“The student's death is a serious matter. We've asked the SP Kangra for a comprehensive report. We'll investigate every aspect to ensure justice for the victim, and those responsible will face strict action.”

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