Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has assured a fair, transparent, and time-bound investigation into the death of a 19-year-old Dalit student who passed away during treatment on December 26, days after allegedly facing sexual harassment and ragging at a government college in the state. The chief minister spoke to the bereaved family over the phone on Saturday night and reiterated the state government’s firm stand against harassment, discrimination, and injustice.

According to an official statement released on Sunday, Sukhu expressed deep condolences to the family and assured them of all possible support from the state administration. He emphasised that the government stands in complete solidarity with the family and is committed to ensuring that those responsible for the alleged harassment and abuse are held accountable strictly in accordance with the law.

“The government’s position against harassment and injustice is unwavering. A transparent, rigorous, and time-bound investigation will be conducted, and no one found guilty will be spared,” the chief minister assured the family during the conversation, the statement said.

The case has sparked widespread concern and outrage after allegations emerged that the student had been subjected to sexual harassment by a faculty member and physical assault by senior students, leading to severe mental trauma and a rapid deterioration in her health.

In a key administrative action, the state government on Saturday suspended Assistant Professor Ashok Kumar of Government College, Dharamshala, in connection with the case. The suspension followed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against him on charges of sexual harassment.

According to the complaint filed by the student’s father, the young woman was allegedly beaten by three senior students on September 18, 2025. The father further alleged that during the same period, a college professor indulged in obscene acts with his daughter. He claimed that when the student objected to the professor’s behaviour, she was subjected to intimidation and mental harassment.

A video purportedly recorded by the student later surfaced on social media, in which she accused the assistant professor of mentally harassing her, committing indecent acts, and threatening her when she resisted his advances. The video has since gone viral, intensifying public scrutiny and prompting swift responses from authorities and statutory bodies.

The student’s father alleged that following these incidents, his daughter slipped into severe mental stress, which had a devastating impact on her physical health. Despite undergoing medical treatment, her condition continued to worsen, and she eventually died on December 26. The family maintains that the alleged harassment and assault were directly linked to her declining health and eventual death.

Apart from the sexual harassment case registered against the assistant professor, police have also booked three female students accused of assaulting the victim. They have been charged under Sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 3 (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution Ragging Act, 2009.

The matter has drawn the attention of several national and state-level institutions. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has constituted a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the student’s death. The move came after the UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline registered a suo motu complaint based on information received about the case.

In a parallel development, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Saturday took suo motu cognisance of the incident. The commission has sought a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Himachal Pradesh Police within five days, underscoring the seriousness with which it is monitoring the case.

The NCW said it expects a comprehensive report outlining the steps taken by the police and other authorities, including details of the investigation, arrests, suspensions, and measures to ensure the safety of students in educational institutions.

At the state level, the Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Caste Commission and the state women’s commission have also intervened. Both bodies have sought detailed reports from the Superintendent of Police of Kangra district, under whose jurisdiction the college falls. Officials said these commissions are examining the case from the perspectives of caste-based vulnerability, women’s safety, and institutional accountability.

The case has once again brought to the fore concerns over student safety, harassment, and the effectiveness of grievance redressal mechanisms in educational institutions. It has also raised questions about how complaints of sexual harassment and ragging are handled, particularly when they involve faculty members and power imbalances.

Opposition parties and civil society groups have demanded strict action, institutional reforms, and better monitoring systems to prevent similar incidents in the future. Student organisations have also called for stronger internal complaints committees, timely intervention, and psychological support for victims of harassment.

With multiple agencies now probing the matter and the state government assuring a time-bound investigation, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the deceased student and her family. As the probes progress, the case is expected to test the accountability mechanisms within higher education institutions and the state’s resolve to act decisively against harassment and abuse.