DHARAMSALA: The suspicious death of a 19-year-old student of Government Degree College, Dharamshala, has triggered a major controversy, with serious allegations of ragging, caste-based discrimination, sexual harassment and mental harassment coming to the fore. Acting on a complaint filed by the deceased student’s father, the Kangra police have registered an FIR against three female students and a college professor.
According to the complaint, the student, Pallavi (name as per police records), was a second-year degree student at the college. Her father alleged that on September 18, 2025, three girls (college students) allegedly assaulted and threatened his daughter. The complaint further accuses a college professor, of indecent behaviour, inappropriate touching and mental harassment.
The father stated that following these incidents, his daughter went into severe mental stress and fear, leading to a rapid deterioration in her health. She was treated at several hospitals and eventually died on December 26, 2025, while undergoing treatment at DMC Hospital, Ludhiana. The family claimed they could not approach the police earlier due to the student’s critical condition and the trauma they were undergoing.
A viral video of the girl led to registration of case. Kangra Superintendent of Police Ashok Ratan confirmed that a case has been registered 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. “All allegations are being thoroughly investigated. Medical records, video evidence and statements of all concerned are being examined. Further legal action will be taken based on the facts, ” the SP said. Meanwhile, the said Professor has denied all allegations levelled against him.
The investigation has also revealed that the student had enrolled in the college in 2024, allegedly faced ragging by some students, failed her BA first-year examination, and stopped attending college after the results were declared in July 2025. Her name was struck off the college rolls on August 21, 2025. She reportedly visited the college again in September seeking admission, where she was informed that she would be admitted to the second year only if she cleared the re-evaluation, failing which she would have to re-enroll in the first year.