The Himachal Pradesh government has suspended an assistant professor from a state-run college in Dharamshala following allegations of sexual harassment against a 19-year-old student, who later died during treatment. The case, which also involves accusations of ragging by senior students and caste-based discrimination, has triggered widespread outrage and prompted multiple investigations by state and national bodies.
Suspension and Legal Proceedings
On Saturday, January 3, 2026, the state government issued suspension orders against the accused assistant professor. This action came a day after the Kangra police formally booked him under charges of sexual harassment. Three senior woman students were also booked for ragging and voluntarily causing hurt. The assistant professor, who has denied all allegations, secured anticipatory bail on the same day. Police officials confirmed he is currently being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
The suspension order, issued by Secretary (Education) Rakesh Kanwar, cited media reports and stated that the professor's prima facie involvement could not be ruled out. Pending a departmental inquiry, he has been placed under suspension with his headquarters at the Directorate of Higher Education in Shimla.
Multiple Agencies Demand Swift Action
The tragic incident has galvanized several commissions into seeking immediate answers. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has written to the Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police, demanding the immediate registration of an FIR, arrest of all accused, and a fair, time-bound investigation. The NCW has instructed the police to submit a detailed Action Taken Report within five days.
Similarly, the Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission took suo motu cognizance of the matter after videos surfaced suggesting the victim belonged to a Scheduled Caste community and was subjected to casteist slurs. The Commission has asked the police for a report within a single day. The State Commission for Women has also sought a detailed report from the Kangra Superintendent of Police.
Parallel Fact-Finding Investigations
In response to the escalating situation, two separate fact-finding committees have been constituted. The Himachal Pradesh Directorate of Higher Education has formed a three-member committee, headed by Additional Director Harish Kumar. This committee is tasked with examining all aspects, including harassment, sexual harassment, ragging, and alleged caste-based remarks. They have been directed to submit a comprehensive report within three days.
Separately, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has set up a five-member fact-finding committee. This move followed a suo-motu complaint registered by the UGC's Anti-Ragging Helpline. State officials acknowledged the UGC's involvement but noted they had not yet received formal communication.
Details of the Allegations and Police Probe
The First Information Report (FIR) was registered based on a complaint by the victim's father. He alleged that his daughter was assaulted by three students on September 18, 2025, and was sexually harassed by the assistant professor. This led to severe mental stress, a rapid deterioration in her health, and eventual hospitalization. The student died during treatment at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in Ludhiana on December 26, 2025.
The father also claimed the family had previously complained to the college administration about ragging, but no action was taken. The college administration, however, has denied receiving any written complaint.
Police investigation reveals that the student enrolled in the college in 2024. She allegedly faced ragging, failed her BA first-year exams, and stopped attending college after results were declared in July 2025. Her name was struck off the rolls on August 21, 2025. She reportedly revisited the college in September seeking re-admission.
Additional Superintendent of Police, Kangra, Veer Bahadur stated that the investigation, led by the Dharamshala Deputy SP, is actively collecting evidence including medical records, video clips, and witness statements. Police have seized documents and a cellphone. An investigating team has also been sent to Ludhiana to obtain complete treatment records and statements from the treating doctors.
Political and Public Reaction
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while in Solan, promised strict action against the guilty. He referenced a "video statement of the deceased woman" circulating on social media as the basis for the immediate suspension of the assistant professor.
The incident has sparked public protests. Members of the Ambedkar Mahasabha demonstrated in Dharamshala, demanding justice. The outfit's state president alleged that this was an "attempt to murder" and criticized the police for delayed action and for not including relevant sections of the SC/ST Act in the initial FIR.
As multiple agencies race against time to uncover the truth, this case has put a spotlight on the mechanisms for preventing ragging and harassment in educational institutions across Himachal Pradesh and the nation.
