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19-year-old student dies at Dharamshala college as Police and UGC probe ragging

19-year-old student dies at Dharamshala college as Police and UGC probe ragging

Yellarthi Chennabasava
January 4, 2026

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken serious note of the tragic death of a 19-year-old second-year student at Government Degree College, Dharamshala , amid allegations of prolonged ragging and sexual harassment .

Acting on media reports, the UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline registered a suo-motu complaint . The higher education regulator has also constituted a Fact-Finding Committee to examine all aspects of the case, including the circumstances leading to the student’s death and the allegations against her peers and a professor. The UGC reiterated that student safety remains paramount and assured that stringent action will be taken against anyone found guilty .

According to police, the victim’s father lodged a complaint alleging that on September 18, 2025 , three female students assaulted and intimidated his daughter , while a professor sexually harassed her . The student reportedly suffered severe stress , her health deteriorated, and she died during treatment at DMC, Ludhiana , on December 26, 2025 .

A case has been registered under Sections 75, 115(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act, 2009 , with four individuals named as accused . The police investigation is currently underway.

Reacting to the incident, Ashwani Kumar , assistant professor at the college, said, “It is one of Himachal’s biggest institutes, and this incident will be remembered as a dark chapter in its history. The college has produced many distinguished alumni, and I myself have been a student here. My condolences are with her family.”

Experts say incidents like this often prompt colleges and regulators to strengthen anti-ragging measures, improve student awareness, enhance counselling and mental health support, and tighten oversight to prevent similar tragedies. The UGC and law enforcement authorities are working in parallel to ensure justice for the victim and accountability for the accused .