A tragic case from Himachal Pradesh has shaken the academic community after a 19-year-old college student died following months of alleged harassment and trauma. Police in Dharamsala have booked a college professor and three students for ragging, sexual misconduct, and criminal intimidation after the young woman succumbed during treatment last month.
The case has raised serious concerns about student safety, accountability inside educational institutions, and the handling of complaints involving vulnerable students.
FIR Filed Against Professor and Students
Police officials confirmed that an FIR has been registered at Dharamsala Police Station against Ashok Kumar, a professor at Government Degree College, Dharamsala, and three students — Harshita, Aakriti, and Komolika.
The case has been filed under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to harassment, intimidation, and criminal conspiracy, along with provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009.
Authorities said the charges include allegations of physical assault, mental harassment, and sexual misconduct.
What the Victim’s Family Alleged
The complaint was filed by the victim’s father, Vikram Kumar, a resident of Sidhbari in Dharamsala. He told police that his daughter Pallavi, a second-year student at the college, was targeted by her classmates and a faculty member.
According to the complaint, on September 18, 2025, the three students allegedly physically assaulted and intimidated Pallavi inside the college. The father also alleged that Professor Ashok Kumar subjected her to obscene acts, leaving her emotionally shattered.
The family said the harassment caused severe psychological distress, after which Pallavi’s health began to decline rapidly.
Student’s Health Deteriorated After Alleged Harassment
Following the incident, Pallavi reportedly became deeply disturbed and frightened. Her condition worsened over time, forcing her family to seek treatment at several hospitals across Himachal Pradesh.
As her health continued to deteriorate, she was eventually referred to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana, Punjab. Despite weeks of medical care, she passed away on December 26, 2025.
Her death has now become the focal point of the investigation, as police try to determine whether the alleged harassment played a direct role in her decline.
Why the Complaint Was Delayed
The victim’s father explained that the family could not approach the police earlier because Pallavi remained critically ill for a long time. The family was also emotionally devastated by her condition and later by her death.
Police accepted the explanation and said the delay would not weaken the case, especially since medical records and witness statements are being gathered to establish the timeline of events.
Police Launch Full-Scale Investigation
Senior police officials said a detailed investigation is now underway. Statements from Pallavi’s classmates, teachers, college authorities, and family members will be recorded.
Medical records from all hospitals where Pallavi was treated — including the Ludhiana hospital — are being collected to determine the exact cause of death and any possible link to the alleged harassment.
Superintendent of Police Ashok Rattan said the case would be handled thoroughly and without bias.
“We are examining every angle. No one will be spared if found guilty,” he said.
Growing Concerns Over Campus Safety
The case has once again drawn attention to the dangers of ragging and the urgent need for stricter enforcement of anti-ragging laws in educational institutions.
Student safety advocates say Pallavi’s death should serve as a wake-up call for colleges across India to ensure a safe, supportive environment where students can report abuse without fear.