The tragic case which shocked Himachal Pradesh after a 19-year-old student from Government Degree College in Dharamshala died on December 26, 2025, during treatment at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana, Punjab. The young woman, identified in some reports as Pallavi, allegedly endured severe ragging by three senior female students—Harshita, Aakriti, and Komolika—on September 18, 2025, followed by repeated sexual harassment and "obscene acts" by a college professor named Ashok Kumar. Her father filed a complaint on January 1, 2026, leading to an FIR registered under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009. Police have confirmed the investigation is ongoing, with medical records, the viral video, and statements under review.

A chilling video purportedly recorded by the student while in hospital before her death has surfaced online, intensifying public outrage. In the footage, she appears unwell and describes the professor's behavior, saying, "Sir ajeeb harkatein karte the" (Sir used to do strange things), naming "Ashok sir" and alleging inappropriate touching, mental harassment, and intimidation after she protested. The video reportedly captures her recounting how the harassment contributed to her deteriorating health, leading to prolonged illness and multiple hospital transfers in Himachal Pradesh before her final referral to Ludhiana. The professor has denied the allegations, and some colleagues have supported him, while the college principal stated no prior formal complaint was received from the student.

The incident has prompted swift action from authorities: the University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a fact-finding committee to probe the case, emphasizing student safety and promising strict measures against those responsible. The Himachal Pradesh government has suspended the accused professor, and additional inquiries are examining potential caste-related aspects, as the victim was reportedly from a Dalit background. Political leaders, including former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, have called for a high-level, impartial investigation to ensure justice. The case highlights critical failures in campus safety mechanisms, ragging prevention, and grievance redressal in educational institutions.

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As the probe continues, the tragedy has sparked nationwide calls for stronger anti-ragging and anti-harassment policies, with demands for accountability to prevent such incidents. The family seeks justice amid grief, while the college and higher education bodies cooperate with ongoing investigations.

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