A 19-year-old student of Government Degree College, Dharamshala, died during treatment at a private hospital in Ludhiana, allegedly following severe trauma caused by ragging, physical assault, and sexual harassment at her college.
According to the complaint, the alleged incident took place on September 18, 2025, when three senior female students, Harshita, Aakriti, and Komolika, allegedly assaulted, beat, and intimidated the victim. The complaint further alleges that a college professor, Ashok Kumar, allegedly committed obscene acts towards her, leaving the student in deep fear and psychological distress.
Due to the alleged beating and harassment, the girl was hospitalised, and the victim’s health reportedly deteriorated. She was treated at multiple hospitals across Himachal Pradesh and was later referred to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC), Ludhiana, for advanced treatment. She succumbed during treatment on December 26, 2025.
The family, reportedly in shock over her prolonged illness and death, approached the police a few days later. On January 1, 2026, the victim’s father, a resident of Sidhbari near Dharamshala, lodged a formal complaint with the Dharamshala police.
Based on the complaint, the police registered FIR No. 03/2026 under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 3(5) (criminal intimidation with common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009. The accused include the three senior students, Harshita, Aakriti, and Komolika, and the Professor Ashok Kumar.
Dharamshala Superintendent of Police Ashok Ratan said that the FIR has been registered and the case is under preliminary investigation. He stated that earlier complaints were only against the students, and allegations of sexual harassment were added later after new facts came to light.
“The matter is under active investigation. Sexual harassment was not included initially. As more facts emerged, relevant sections were added. A fair investigation will be ensured,” the SP said.
Police also confirmed that the victim had been admitted to at least seven hospitals during the course of her illness. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the sequence of events and the cause of death.
Source: India Today