Himachal Pradesh: Student dies after ragging, sexual harassment; professor, 3 seniors booked | India News
NEW DELHI: Three students of a government college in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, have been booked for ragging and voluntarily causing hurt, while a college professor has been accused of sexually harassing a 19-year-old woman who later died, police said on Friday.The student died during treatment at a hospital in Ludhiana on December 26. The case was registered on Thursday following a complaint by her father, who alleged that sustained physical assault, harassment and mental trauma contributed to a rapid decline in her health.Preliminary findings show that the student enrolled in the college in 2024 and allegedly faced ragging during her first year. She failed her BA first-year examination and stopped attending college after the results were declared in July 2025. Her name was struck off the rolls on August 21. She reportedly returned in September seeking re-admission.According to the complaint, the woman was allegedly beaten by three senior students — identified as Harshita, Aakriti and Komolika — on September 18, 2025. The father also accused a professor, Ashok Kumar, of engaging in obscene acts and subjecting his daughter to mental harassment and intimidation. He claimed that after these incidents, the student suffered severe psychological distress and fear, leading to repeated hospitalisation.The father said the complaint could not be filed earlier as his daughter was deeply traumatised and undergoing medical treatment. Police confirmed that a case has been registered under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act, 2009.Kangra Superintendent of Police Ashok Ratan confirmed that investigations are under way. He said medical records, video evidence and statements from all concerned are being examined to establish the sequence of events and fix responsibility.The case drew widespread attention after a video, allegedly recorded by the student before her death, surfaced on social media.
