Dharamshala Student Death Case: Suspended Professor Denies Charges, Says He Will Face Law If Found Guilty

The death of a 19-year-old college student in Dharamshala has triggered widespread outrage and demands for justice. The student died on December 26 while undergoing treatment in Ludhiana, days after allegedly facing ragging, caste-based remarks, and sexual harassment.

The case has put the spotlight on safety within educational institutions and prompted swift administrative and legal action at multiple levels.

Allegations Against Professor and Fellow Students

The victim’s father filed a formal complaint earlier this week. He accused three female students of ragging his daughter and an assistant professor, Ashok Kumar, of sexual harassment, mental intimidation, and casteist remarks.

According to the complaint, the alleged harassment caused severe emotional distress to the student. The matter gained public attention after a video, reportedly recorded by the student before her death, circulated widely on social media. In the video, she accused the professor of inappropriate behaviour and mental pressure when she resisted his actions.

Professor Denies Charges, Accepts Suspension

Following the allegations, the Himachal Pradesh government suspended Ashok Kumar on Saturday. The accused professor has denied all charges, calling them “completely false.”

After a local court granted him anticipatory bail, Kumar told reporters that he would cooperate fully with the investigation. He stated that he was ready to face punishment if the inquiry proved his guilt.

With over 26 years of teaching experience, Kumar said he had never faced such accusations before. He added that he accepted the suspension, as it would allow for a fair and unbiased investigation. He also said that both the student and he deserved justice.

Legal and Administrative Action Underway

Police confirmed that the case first came to light after a complaint was received through the Chief Minister’s Sankalp Seva Helpline. Soon after, an investigation team was formed to examine the allegations.

The Dharamshala court directed the accused professor to join the probe and cooperate with investigators. Meanwhile, police continue to question witnesses and review digital evidence related to the case.

State Government Forms Inquiry Panel

The Himachal Pradesh government has set up a four-member committee to conduct a preliminary probe into the student’s death. The panel is headed by the Additional Director of Higher Education.

Education Minister Rohit Thakur stated that the committee has been given three days to submit its report to the education secretary. He stressed that strict action would follow against anyone found guilty. A parallel police investigation continues alongside the departmental inquiry.

UGC Orders Independent Fact-Finding Probe

The University Grants Commission has also stepped in. The UGC formed a five-member fact-finding committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In its official order, the commission described the incident as unfortunate and said the panel would review the role of college authorities and identify any lapses. The committee will look into both acts of omission and commission by those responsible.

Protests and Questions Over Academic Status

The student’s death has led to protests in Dharamshala, with locals and student groups demanding accountability and stronger safeguards against harassment in colleges.

The principal of the government college in Dharamshala clarified the student’s academic position. He stated that she had enrolled as a first-year student in the 2024–25 session but failed three subjects. As a result, she was required to repeat the year.

However, he said she did not re-enrol formally, which meant she was not on the college rolls at the time of the incident. The college administration claimed it learned about the allegations only after police arrived for investigation and assured full cooperation.
The Dharamshala college student death case has exposed deep concerns about student safety, grievance redressal, and accountability within educational institutions. With investigations by the state government, police, and the UGC running simultaneously, the coming days are expected to bring greater clarity.

For now, public attention remains firmly fixed on the outcome of the probes and whether justice will be delivered in a case that has shaken the conscience of the region.