Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh – A tragic incident has shaken the educational community in Himachal Pradesh after a 19-year-old female student of a government college in Dharamshala died during treatment in Ludhiana on December 26, 2025, following alleged sexual harassment and ragging. The incident has prompted the registration of a case against three senior students for ragging and voluntarily causing hurt, as well as against a college professor accused of sexual harassment. The matter came to light after a formal complaint was lodged by the victim’s father on Thursday, January 1, 2026, and has since attracted national attention.
According to the complaint submitted by the father, his daughter was physically assaulted by three senior students identified as Harshita, Aakriti, and Komolika on September 18, 2025. In addition to the alleged physical assault by her peers, the father accused a college professor, Ashok Kumar, of subjecting his daughter to obscene acts. The student, already traumatized by these incidents, was hospitalized for treatment. Unfortunately, her condition worsened, and she ultimately succumbed during medical care. The case has sparked widespread concern regarding student safety, harassment, and accountability within educational institutions.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has formally taken note of the incident. In a statement issued on January 2, 2026, the UGC expressed its concern over the student’s death and confirmed the formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case. The UGC emphasized that student safety is of paramount importance and assured that all individuals found culpable would face stringent action. Officials underlined that no leniency would be shown in cases of ragging, harassment, or abuse within academic institutions.
The complaint lodged by the father detailed the physical and emotional trauma suffered by his daughter. Following the alleged assault and harassment, the young woman endured significant mental stress, fear, and anxiety, which, according to her father, contributed to a rapid deterioration in her health. The father also stated that a formal complaint could not be filed immediately after the incidents because his daughter was both traumatized and hospitalized. The complaint was eventually submitted once he could provide the authorities with the necessary information regarding the assaults.
The police have taken the allegations seriously and have registered a case under multiple sections of law. Specifically, the case has been filed under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (sexual harassment), Section 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and Section 3(5) (common intention). In addition, charges have been filed under Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act, 2009. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities examining medical records, video evidence, and statements from all parties involved.
A critical development in the case came when a video allegedly recorded by the student herself went viral on social media prior to her death. In the video, the student accused the professor of engaging in indecent acts and detailed the mental harassment and intimidation she faced after raising objections to his behavior. The video reportedly documented her distress and provided a firsthand account of the alleged misconduct. The viral nature of the video brought national attention to the case and prompted police and administrative authorities to take swift action.
Initially, the police received a complaint regarding the harassment through the Chief Minister’s Sankalp Seva Helpline, and an investigation team was formed. However, at that time, the student was unwell and unable to record her own statement. Subsequently, the father’s statement was recorded, allowing authorities to initiate formal proceedings against the accused.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the student was initially enrolled in the college in 2024. She allegedly faced ragging from certain senior students, which created a hostile environment for her academic pursuits. The student reportedly failed her BA first-year examination and ceased attending college after the results were declared in July 2025. Her name was officially struck off the college rolls on August 21, 2025.
Despite being removed from the rolls, the student is believed to have visited the college again in September 2025 seeking admission. She was reportedly informed by college authorities that she would only be promoted to the second year if she cleared the re-evaluation of her first-year examinations. If she failed the re-evaluation, she would have been required to re-enroll in the first year. These circumstances may have contributed to additional stress and mental strain on the student during the final months leading to her hospitalization and subsequent death.
The accused professor, Ashok Kumar, has denied all allegations of sexual harassment. Reports indicate that some members of the college faculty have come forward in his support, claiming that he was not the student’s instructor in the current academic session and that she had studied under him in a previous session. Nevertheless, the seriousness of the accusations has prompted a thorough investigation by law enforcement authorities to ensure that justice is served and that all allegations are objectively examined.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a prominent student organization, has condemned the incident and demanded strict action against all individuals implicated in the case. ABVP State Secretary Nancy Atal stated that the accused must be brought to book in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future and to ensure the safety and well-being of students across educational institutions in the state.
The Dharamshala incident has highlighted several systemic issues prevalent in higher education institutions, particularly concerning student safety, ragging, and the potential for abuse by authority figures. Experts have noted that cases of ragging and harassment can have severe psychological impacts on students, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal tendencies. Authorities have reiterated the need for colleges to implement effective preventive measures, maintain counseling services, and establish mechanisms for reporting misconduct safely and confidentially.
The Himachal Pradesh government has also been closely monitoring the case, with officials emphasizing the importance of swift and fair investigation. The police have assured the public that all evidence, including medical documentation, witness statements, and digital material such as the viral video, is being thoroughly examined. Authorities have emphasized that no procedural lapses will be tolerated and that all individuals found responsible for the harassment and subsequent mental distress of the student will face the full force of the law.
The incident has drawn attention to the continued relevance of anti-ragging laws in India. Despite legal safeguards, reports suggest that ragging and harassment remain persistent problems in some educational institutions, often exacerbated by insufficient oversight or administrative negligence. The Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act, 2009, under which charges have been filed, seeks to prevent any form of ragging that could endanger a student’s mental or physical well-being. However, the efficacy of such laws depends largely on vigilant enforcement, proactive monitoring, and timely reporting mechanisms.
This tragic case has ignited a debate about accountability within higher education institutions, the responsibility of faculty members, and the importance of maintaining safe learning environments for students. It has also raised questions about the support structures available for students facing harassment and the role of parents, peers, and college authorities in protecting vulnerable individuals.
In conclusion, the death of the 19-year-old student in Dharamshala underscores the urgent need for continued vigilance against ragging, sexual harassment, and abuse in academic institutions. While the accused individuals are under investigation, authorities, including the UGC and local police, have pledged to ensure thorough and impartial proceedings. The case serves as a somber reminder of the critical importance of student safety, psychological well-being, and institutional accountability, and it reinforces the need for comprehensive measures to protect students from harm, harassment, and exploitation within educational spaces.
As the investigation continues, public and student organizations alike are closely watching the case, hoping that justice is served and that systemic reforms are implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The family of the deceased student, along with concerned citizens and advocacy groups, awaits the outcome of the legal proceedings, emphasizing that protecting students must remain a priority for educational authorities, policymakers, and society at large.
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