Bandla Hydro Engineering College Scandal: Principal Himanshu Monga Arrested in Bilaspur for Sexual Harassment

Bandla Hydro Engineering College Scandal: The principal of Bandla Hydro Engineering College in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, has been arrested for alleged sexual harassment of girl students after a disturbing video surfaced. Read full details.

Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh), May 23, 2025 — In a deeply disturbing development from Himachal Pradesh, the principal of Bandla Hydro Engineering College, located in Bilaspur, has been arrested for alleged sexual harassment of female students. The arrest follows a viral video that sparked outrage and student protests across the campus.

On Thursday, tensions ran high at Bandla Hydro Engineering College as students gathered in large numbers, demanding immediate action against the director-cum-principal. Their protests were fueled by a video that had gone viral online, allegedly showing the accused inappropriately touching a hospitalised female student under a blanket. The incident reportedly occurred in March 2024.

Bilaspur Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandeep Dhawal confirmed the arrest on Friday. “Principal Himanshu Monga has been booked under charges of sexual harassment, and an investigation is underway,” he said.

In light of the serious nature of the allegations, a district-level investigation committee was quickly formed. The committee recorded statements from all parties involved and submitted a detailed report to the Himachal Pradesh Technical Education Department.

Vibha Sharma, the chairperson of the probe panel, said,

“We ensured a fair and transparent inquiry by hearing all sides. The final report has been submitted to the concerned department for further action.”

Technical Education Director Akshay Sood confirmed the receipt of the report and stated,

“Strict action will be taken based on the findings of the committee. We are committed to student safety and a harassment-free environment.”

In a new twist, an earlier complaint lodged on the e-Samadhan portal in April by a former student of Sundernagar Engineering College—where the accused previously served as a senior faculty member—has now surfaced. The complainant claimed that the same individual had also behaved inappropriately with girl students during his tenure at Sundernagar.

This renewed attention on past allegations raises serious questions about the oversight and accountability mechanisms within higher education institutions in Himachal Pradesh.

The arrest has been met with relief and cautious optimism among students, alumni, and parents. Several students have praised the quick police action but emphasized the need for long-term structural changes to ensure safety and justice.

“We want more than just a suspension or arrest. We need policies that protect us and mechanisms that ensure no such person ever leads a college again,” said a protesting student who wished to remain anonymous.

As of now, the accused remains in police custody. Authorities are continuing their investigation, and the technical education department is expected to announce further administrative actions soon.

This scandal has triggered a larger conversation about the safety of female students in technical education institutions across Himachal Pradesh, with activists demanding stronger regulations and swift justice for all survivors.