Dharamshala College Student Death: Himachal CM Suspends Accused Professor; UGC Orders Probe, NCW Takes Cognisance

Dharamshala: The death of a 19-year-old student at a government degree college in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, allegedly following ragging and sexual harassment, has triggered action by multiple authorities.

In response, the Himachal Pradesh government, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the National Commission for Women (NCW) have intervened, each ordering probes and actions against the accused.

Chief Minister Orders Suspension Of Accused Professor

During his visit to Solan on December 28, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed that the professor, named in a viral video recorded by the student prior to December 26, be suspended with immediate effect. The CM said the student's allegations were extremely serious and would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

He also ordered a detailed inquiry into the matter and said that anyone found involved, directly or indirectly, would face the strictest possible action. The CM’s directive came amid growing public anger over the incident.

NCW Takes Suo Motu Cognisance, Seeks Action Report

The NCW has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident involving ragging, physical harassment and sexual harassment at the Government Degree College in Dharamshala, in which a 19-year-old student died during treatment.

Strongly condemning the incident as heinous and inhuman, the NCW said it reflected a serious failure of campus safety mechanisms.

The Chairperson of the Commission has written to the Director General of Police, Himachal Pradesh, directing immediate registration of FIRs, arrest of all accused, a fair and time-bound investigation, preservation of post-mortem and medical records, and strict action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, anti-sexual harassment laws and anti-ragging rules.

The Commission has also ordered departmental action against guilty or negligent faculty members, a review of the college’s anti-ragging mechanism, and strengthening of campus safety, awareness, and counselling arrangements. Authorities have been asked to submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) within five days.

UGC Forms Fact-Finding Committee

The UGC has taken serious cognisance of the death of the 19-year-old college student and announced that it will constitute a fact-finding committee and assured that those found guilty would not be spared.

In a statement, the UGC said, "The University Grants Commission has taken serious cognisance of the tragic suicide at the Government Degree College, Dharamshala. It has been decided to constitute a Fact-Finding Committee. The UGC assures that culprits will not be spared and that stringent action will follow. Student safety is paramount."

Three students of the government college in Dharamshala have been booked for ragging and voluntarily causing hurt, while the accused professor has been booked for sexual harassment of the student who died on December 26, police said on Friday.

The case gained momentum after a video purportedly recorded by the student before her death began circulating on social media. In the footage, the student identifies the accused professor by name, alleging he subjected her to "indecent acts", intimidation and harassment. She also recounts alleged ragging and assault by the students.

‘My Daughter Is No More. I Need Justice’

The deceased student's father told police that his daughter was assaulted and intimidated on September 18, 2025, by three fellow female students. He also accused a college professor of engaging in indecent acts with his daughter.

According to the complaint, these incidents left the student traumatised and deeply fearful, leading to depression and serious health complications. Her condition worsened despite treatment at multiple hospitals, and she died during treatment at a hospital in Ludhiana on December 26, 2025.

The student's death has sparked outrage, with her grieving parents demanding justice.

"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," the victim's father was quoted as saying by ANI.

The victim's mother said she wants a thorough investigation into the case. "All the accused should be arrested. I want justice...May this never happen to anyone’s child," she said while speaking to ANI.

The father said the family could not immediately approach the police due to the shock of their daughter's illness and death. However, a complaint regarding ragging and harassment had been registered earlier through the CM's helpline on December 20. Both parents have appealed for strict action against those responsible, stating that their daughter's suffering must not go unpunished.

FIR Registered

Police have since registered an FIR against three girl students and one professor under relevant provisions of the BNS and the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act, 2009.

Kangra SP Ashok Rattan said they received a complaint and, after verification, filed an FIR on Thursday evening under Sections 115, 3(5), and 75 of the BNS Ragging Act.

"The deceased belonged to Dharamshala. Since 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. The matter reported on (Dec) 20th through the CM helpline; when we investigated, sexual harassment allegations were not included in that... Whatever facts emerge from the inquiry, we will take cognisance of them and take strict action... The investigation will be conducted on a day-to-day basis...," the SP said.

CPI(M) Delegation Meets DGP In Shimla

Meanwhile, the CPI(M) delegation 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.

The DGP assured the delegation that the probe would be conducted under senior supervision, even as the family continues to seek justice for their daughter.

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Dharamshala College Student Death Case: FIR Registered After Allegation Video Surfaces