A special team from the University Grants Commission (UGC) has arrived in Dharamshala to conduct a detailed investigation into the tragic death of a 19-year-old college student. The student passed away at Dayanand Medical College & Hospital in Ludhiana on December 26 and was cremated the following day.
Charges of Harassment and Assault
According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered in the case, the victim was allegedly sexually harassed by an assistant professor at a state-run college. Furthermore, the student was reportedly subjected to ragging and physical assault by four of her women classmates on September 18. The assistant professor, who has been suspended, has denied all allegations.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Grants
The legal process has seen significant developments this week. On Saturday, the suspended assistant professor was granted interim bail. Following this, on Monday, a local court in Dharamshala granted interim bail to one of the four accused students, who was a classmate of the victim.
The court has directed the Kangra police to submit its reply regarding the bail application of this woman suspect by January 14. The defence counsel for the accused student stated that their client joined the ongoing investigation on Monday as per a court condition, affirming their cooperation with the police authorities.
Father's Statement and Ongoing Investigation
In a crucial step, the victim's father recorded his official statement under Section 183 of the BNSS, 2023 before a local magistrate in Dharamshala on Tuesday. Sources indicate that he reiterated the charges previously levelled against all the accused individuals.
Meanwhile, the police investigation continues, with three of the four accused students and the assistant professor having joined the probe. The five-member committee from the Directorate of Higher Education, which includes senior academic officials, is examining the college's anti-ragging committee documents and has recorded the version of the accused professor.
The case has drawn serious attention to issues of campus safety and the enforcement of anti-ragging laws in educational institutions across the region.
