The death of a 19-year-old Dalit college student has sent shockwaves across Himachal Pradesh, triggering widespread outrage, protests, and scrutiny of safety mechanisms in higher educational institutions. What began as allegations of ragging and sexual harassment has now escalated into a major criminal investigation involving a government college professor, senior students, and multiple state and national authorities.

The Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday suspended an assistant professor of Government College, Dharamshala, in connection with allegations of sexual harassment and ragging linked to the student’s death. The student died during treatment on December 26, 2025, after allegedly suffering sustained physical abuse, sexual misconduct, and mental harassment.

Suspension of the Professor and Departmental Inquiry

According to an official order issued by the state education secretary, the accused assistant professor, identified as Ashok Kumar, who teaches geography, has been placed under immediate suspension. The suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of a departmental inquiry.

The decision followed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the professor for sexual harassment. The government has constituted a four-member inquiry committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations. The committee is headed by Additional Director (Higher Education) Harish Kumar and includes principals of government colleges in Dhaliara, Baijnath, and Naura. The panel has been directed to submit its report within three days, examining all aspects of the case, including alleged sexual assault, ragging, mental harassment, and caste-based remarks.

Allegations Leading Up to the Student’s Death

The case came into public focus after a video, purportedly recorded in a hospital before the student’s death, surfaced on social media. In the video, the young woman is seen accusing the professor of indecent behaviour, mental harassment, and intimidation. While the authenticity of the video has not been independently verified, its contents have sparked widespread outrage.

In the purported video, the student is heard naming “Ashok sir” when asked to identify the professor. Describing his behaviour, she says, “Peechhe pad jaate the. Ajeeb harkatein karte the,” alleging that he repeatedly harassed her and engaged in inappropriate conduct. When pressed further, she states, “Touch wagerah karte the. Bahut kuch bolte the,” alleging unwanted physical contact and verbal harassment.

The student appears visibly distressed and hesitant while speaking. At one point, she is asked whether she wants her father to leave the room while she describes the alleged acts. She declines, choosing to speak in his presence.

Father’s Complaint and Claims of Ragging

In his formal complaint to the police, the student’s father alleged that his daughter was beaten by three senior students on September 18, 2025. He further claimed that during the same period, the assistant professor indulged in obscene acts and sexually harassed her.

According to the complaint, the assault and continued harassment left the student severely traumatised. She was hospitalised following the alleged beating and harassment, and her physical and mental health deteriorated rapidly thereafter. The father stated that the cumulative impact of violence, harassment, and fear pushed his daughter into extreme mental distress, ultimately leading to her death during treatment on December 26.

Criminal Case and Legal Provisions Invoked

Based on the complaint, police have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 75 (sexual harassment), Section 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and Section 3(5) (common intention). Additionally, provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act, 2009, have been invoked.

Police officials have confirmed that investigations are underway and that statements of witnesses, students, and college staff are being recorded. The role of the three senior students named in the complaint is also under investigation.

Accused Professor Denies Charges

The accused assistant professor, who has been granted anticipatory bail, has denied all allegations against him. Speaking to media persons, he described the accusations as baseless and claimed that he was being falsely implicated.

He told news agency PTI that the student was not enrolled in his class during the current academic session and had studied under him in an earlier session. He maintained that he would cooperate fully with the police investigation and expressed confidence that the truth would emerge.

Despite his claims, the state government has proceeded with his suspension, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the need for an impartial inquiry.

Multiple Authorities Step In

The gravity of the case has drawn the attention of national regulatory and rights bodies. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken serious cognisance of the incident, with its Anti-Ragging Helpline registering a suo motu complaint. The UGC has confirmed that while a police investigation is underway, it has also constituted a separate Fact-Finding Committee to examine the circumstances leading to the student’s death and the allegations of ragging and sexual harassment.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken suo motu cognisance of the case. In a statement posted on social media, the NCW strongly condemned the incident, calling it “heinous, inhuman, and reprehensible.” The Commission described the case as a gross violation of the student’s life, dignity, and rights and pointed to serious failures in campus safety and institutional oversight.

Allegations of Caste-Based Discrimination

While the primary focus has been on sexual harassment and ragging, the inquiry committees have also been asked to examine allegations of caste-based comments and discrimination. Given that the victim belonged to a Dalit community, the case has raised broader concerns about social vulnerability, power imbalance, and discrimination within educational institutions.

Student groups and activists have demanded a thorough probe into whether caste played a role in the harassment and whether institutional authorities failed to act promptly despite warning signs.

Statewide Impact and Questions on Campus Safety

The student’s death has sparked protests and renewed debate about the safety of students, especially women and marginalised communities, in colleges across Himachal Pradesh. Critics have questioned whether internal complaint committees, anti-ragging mechanisms, and grievance redressal systems are functioning effectively or merely exist on paper.

The case has also intensified scrutiny of how complaints against faculty members are handled and whether fear, hierarchy, and social pressure discourage students from coming forward.

Ongoing Investigation and Awaited Reports

As multiple investigations run parallelly—by the police, the state education department, the UGC, and rights commissions—the focus remains on establishing accountability. The findings of the departmental inquiry committee and the UGC’s fact-finding panel are expected to play a crucial role in determining further administrative and legal action.

For now, the death of the 19-year-old student stands as a grim reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked harassment and institutional failure. As the state awaits answers, the case continues to raise urgent questions about dignity, safety, and justice within India’s higher education system.