Himachal student death: CM talks to bereaved family, pledges fair probe

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has assured the family of a 19-year-old Dalit student, who died during treatment on Friday, December 26, 2025, after she was allegedly subjected to sexual harassment and ragging in a government university, of a fair investigation.

In a statement made on Sunday, January 4, he spoke to family members on the phone on Saturday night, January 4, 2026, underlining the State’s unwavering stance against harassment and injustice and assuring them of all possible assistance.

Himachal CM assured the family that the State Government is committed to conducting a transparent, rigorous and timely investigation. He reiterated that the government is in full solidarity with the family and will ensure that everyone responsible is held accountable before the law.

The State Government on Saturday, January 3, 2026, suspended Assistant Professor (Geography) Ashok Kumar, Government College, Dharamshala, in connection with the matter.

The decision was taken after an FIR was registered against him for sexual harassment. In his complaint, the student’s father claimed that his daughter was beaten by three senior students on September 18, 2025, and that the university professor acted obscenely towards the girl.

A video has surfaced on social media in which the girl accuses the professor of mentally abusing her, behaving inappropriately and intimidating her when she protested his behavior. Her father claimed that following these events, his daughter went under severe mental stress, resulting in rapid deterioration of her health. The complainant said that he died during treatment on December 26.

Apart from the sexual harassment case filed against the professor, the three female students were also charged with voluntary causing harm and common intention under Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibited) Rags Act 2009 as well as Sections 115(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has set up a five-member inquiry committee to probe the student’s death after the UGC Anti-Sedition Helpline registered a suo-motu complaint.

On Saturday, January 3, the National Commission for Women immediately took notice of the incident and requested a report from the Himachal Pradesh police on the action within five days.

The National Commission for Women said it has sought a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) from state authorities within five days. The Himachal Scheduled Caste Commission and the state women’s commission have also requested a report from the Kangra Superintendent of Police in this regard.