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Summary:
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched an investigation into the death of a student at a government college in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, following allegations of ragging and sexual harassment. The UGC initiated the probe based on media reports and has formed a fact-finding committee. Police have booked three students for ragging and a professor for sexual harassment in connection with the case. The student’s father filed a complaint alleging that his daughter was beaten and harassed, leading to hospitalization, mental distress, and ultimately, her death in a Ludhiana hospital.
News Article:
UGC Probes Student Death in Dharamshala Amid Ragging, Harassment Claims
New Delhi, January 3, 2026 – The University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched a formal investigation into the death of a student at Government Degree College in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, following serious allegations of ragging and sexual harassment. The UGC’s move comes after media reports surfaced indicating that the student’s death was linked to these incidents.
“The UGC has taken serious cognisance of the tragic death of a student at Government Degree College, Dharamshala,” a senior UGC official stated. “The UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline registered a suo motu complaint based on media reports alleging ragging leading to death.”
A fact-finding committee has been established by the UGC to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the student’s death. The commission has vowed to take stringent action against anyone found culpable. “UGC assures that culprits will not be spared and that stringent action will follow. Student safety is paramount,” the official added.
According to police reports, three students, identified as Harshita, Aakriti, and Komolika, have been booked for ragging and voluntarily causing hurt. Furthermore, Professor Ashok Kumar has been booked for sexually harassing the 19-year-old victim, who passed away in a Ludhiana hospital on December 26, 2025.
The case was officially registered on January 1, 2026, after the student’s father filed a formal complaint. In his complaint, he alleged that his daughter was beaten by the three seniors on September 18, 2025, and that Professor Kumar subjected her to obscene acts. The complainant stated that the incidents led to severe mental distress and a rapid decline in her health, ultimately resulting in her hospitalization and death.
The investigation is ongoing, and the UGC has pledged to ensure a thorough and impartial inquiry.
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