Last Updated:
UGC has formed a committee to investigate all aspects of the case, including the circumstances leading to the student’s death and the claims of ragging and sexual harassment.
A professor and 3 female students were booked on charges of ragging and sexual assault of a 19-year-old female student, causing her death. (Getty/Representative Image)
The University Grant Commission (UGC) has taken serious note of the tragic death of a 19-year-old second-year student at Government Degree College in Dharamshala, amid allegations of prolonged ragging and sexual harassment. Acting on media reports, the UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline has registered a suo-motu complaint, despite the college administration’s stance that the case is a death and not a suicide.
According to the UGC, a police enquiry is currently underway. Concurrently, the higher education regulator has formed a Fact-Finding Committee to investigate all aspects of the case, including the circumstances leading to the student’s death and the claims of ragging and sexual harassment. The UGC has reiterated that student safety is of utmost importance and assured that if anyone is found guilty, strict action will be taken and the offenders will not be spared.
UGC has taken serious cognisance of the tragic death of a student at Govt. Degree College, Dharamshala. The UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline registered a suo-motu complaint based on media reports alleging ragging leading to suicide, while the college authorities have stated that the…— UGC INDIA (@ugc_india) January 3, 2026
Reacting to the incident, Ashwani Kumar, an assistant professor at Government Degree College, Dharamshala, said, “It is one of Himachal’s biggest institutes, and this incident will be remembered as a dark chapter in its history. The college has produced many distinguished alumni, and I myself have been a student here. My condolences are with her family.”
Meanwhile, the police have registered a complaint based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s father, who alleged that on September 18, 2025, three female students assaulted and intimidated his daughter, while a professor sexually harassed her, reported ANI.
“Due to these reasons, his daughter was under severe stress, and her health deteriorated. She was treated at various hospitals and later died during treatment at DMC, Ludhiana, on December 26, 2025,” police said.
A case has been registered under Sections 75, 115(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act, 2009, against the four accused.
January 03, 2026, 15:28 IST
Read More
