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The Himachal Pradesh Government on Saturday suspended an Assistant Professor of Government College, Dharamshala in connection with the alleged sexual harassment, ragging and caste-based abuse of a 19-year-old Dalit student who died during treatment last week.
By OM Thakur | The News Dose.Com
Dharamshala/ Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Government on Saturday suspended an Assistant Professor of Government College, Dharamshala in connection with the alleged sexual harassment, ragging and caste-based abuse of a 19-year-old Dalit student who died during treatment last week. The suspension of Ashok Kumar, Assistant Professor (Geography), was ordered following the registration of an FIR against him. The decision was taken pending a departmental inquiry, according to an order issued by Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary (Education). Confirming the action, Amarjeet Sharma, Director of Education, said the victim was a B.A. Part-I student of the college during the 2024–25 academic session.
Suspension Order, Inquiry Initiated
The order stated that prima facie involvement of the Assistant Professor could not be ruled out based on material emerging from media reports and the police case.
“In exercise of powers under Rule 10(1) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, Ashok Kumar, Assistant Professor (Geography), Government College, Dharamshala, District Kangra, is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the departmental inquiry,” the order said. During the suspension period, the professor’s headquarters will be the Directorate of Higher Education, Shimla, and he will not be allowed to leave headquarters without prior permission.
Four-Member Fact-Finding Committee Formed
Separately, the Directorate of Higher Education has constituted a four-member fact-finding committee to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the student’s death. The panel is headed by Harish Kumar, Additional Director (Higher Education), with principals of government colleges at Dhaliara, Baijnath and Naura as members. The committee has been directed to submit a comprehensive report within three days, examining all aspects of the case, including allegations of sexual harassment, ragging, physical assault and caste-related remarks by both teachers and students.
Allegations, Video and Police Case
According to the FIR lodged by the victim’s father, the student was allegedly assaulted by three senior students on September 18, 2025, while the Assistant Professor subjected her to obscene acts and mental harassment. A video that surfaced later reportedly shows the student accusing the professor of indecent behaviour, intimidation and harassment after she objected to his conduct.
The father alleged that following the incidents, his daughter suffered severe mental stress, leading to rapid deterioration in her health. She was hospitalised and later died during treatment on December 26.
Police have registered a case under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009. Investigations are currently underway.
Accused Denies Charges
Speaking to mediapersons, the suspended Assistant Professor—who has secured anticipatory bail—denied the allegations, calling them baseless. He said he would fully cooperate with the police investigation.
The case has sparked widespread outrage in Himachal Pradesh, raising serious concerns over campus safety, caste-based discrimination, institutional accountability and the enforcement of anti-ragging laws in higher education institutions.
