UGC probes Dharamshala college student’s death amid ragging and harassment allegations; police and fact-finding committee investigations underway.
UGC takes strict cognisance of Dharamshala student’s death, initiating investigations and reaffirming zero tolerance for ragging and harassment (Photo: X)
NEW YORK: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken serious cognisance of the tragic death of a 19-year-old second year student of Government Degree College, Dharamshala, amid allegations of prolonged ragging and sexual harassment. Acting on the media reports, the UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline has registered a suo motu complaint in connection with the incident.
The higher education regulator said that while a police probe into the matter is presently underway, it has also constituted a fact-finding committee to examine all aspects of the case. The committee will look into the circumstances leading to the student's death as well as the allegations levelled against fellow students and a faculty member.
The college administration, however, has maintained that the matter is being treated as a case of death and not as a suicide. In its statement, the UGC reiterated that the safety and welfare of students remain its highest priority and assured that stringent action would be taken against anyone found guilty. Reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy towards ragging and sexual harassment, the commission said those responsible would not be spared.
This development comes a day after the Himachal Pradesh Police said they had registered a case in the matter, booking three women students of the Government Degree College, Dharamshala, for ragging and voluntarily causing hurt, and one professor for sexual assault. The case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the victim's father.
According to the victim's father, the harassment and intimidation left his daughter extremely frightened and mentally disturbed, leading to a sharp deterioration in her health. Initially, she was undergoing treatment at various hospitals across Himachal Pradesh. As her condition worsened, she was referred to a hospital in Ludhiana, where she died during treatment on December 26, 2025.
As per the complaint, on September 18, 2025, three female students allegedly assaulted and threatened his daughter, while a professor is accused of sexually harassing her. The police said that owing to these incidents, the student was under severe mental stress, which adversely affected her health. She received treatment at multiple hospitals before eventually passing away during treatment at DMC, Ludhiana, on December 26, 2025.
A case has been registered against four accused under Sections 75, 115(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act, 2009. Further investigation into the matter is currently underway.
