Dharamshala College Student Dies After Sexual Assault; Professor and Three Students Charged

DHARAMSALA, January 2, 2026 — A 19-year-old student at Government Degree College in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, has died after allegedly facing ragging, physical assault, intimidation, and sexual harassment. Police have registered a case against a college professor and three female students in connection with the death.

The deceased has been identified as Pallavi, a second-year student at the college. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the incidents occurred in September 2025. The FIR was registered at the Dharamsala police station.

Pallavi's father, Vikram Kumar, a resident of Sidhbari in Dharamsala, filed a complaint alleging that three students—Harshita, Aakriti, and Komolika—had physically assaulted and intimidated his daughter on September 18, 2025, on the college premises. He further alleged that Professor Ashok Kumar subjected Pallavi to obscene acts.

According to the complaint, the alleged harassment and intimidation caused Pallavi to become extremely frightened and mentally disturbed, leading to a sharp deterioration in her health. She was initially treated at several hospitals in Himachal Pradesh. As her condition worsened, she was referred to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana, where she died on December 26, 2025, while undergoing treatment.

Police have registered the case under Sections 75, 115(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009.

Vikram Kumar explained to the police that the delay in lodging the complaint was due to his daughter's prolonged critical illness and the family being in deep shock following her death.

A senior police official stated that the case was registered after examining the complaint and conducting a preliminary inquiry. A detailed investigation is underway to examine the allegations of ragging, physical assault, intimidation, and sexual misconduct, and to ascertain whether these incidents contributed to Pallavi's declining health and subsequent death. As part of the investigation, statements from Pallavi's classmates, teachers, college authorities, and family members will be recorded. Medical records from all hospitals where she was treated are also being collected to determine the cause of death and establish any possible link to the alleged incidents.

The college administration has presented a different version of events, stating that Pallavi had failed her examinations the previous year and was seeking admission to the second year, which was not permissible under university rules for students who fail. According to the administration, the student was under depression due to her academic performance.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has decided to submit a memorandum to the Himachal Pradesh government, seeking strict action and a time-bound investigation into the matter.

The investigation is ongoing.