- Representational image: IANS
NEW DELHI: Himachal Pradesh Police on Saturday (Jan 3) registered a case against a professor and three women students on charges of ragging to death a 19-year-old female student of a local Government Degree College in Dharamshala, Kangra district.
After the reported ragging incident, the victim died during treatment in Ludhiana, Punjab.
Police said a preliminary inquiry has been completed, and a formal case has now been registered.
“Only after a detailed investigation, it will be clear whether the allegations of ragging, physical assault, intimidation and sexual misconduct had any link to the deterioration of Pallavi’s health and her subsequent death,” said a police official.
Medical records are being collected to ascertain the cause of death and establish any connection with the alleged harassment.
Superintendent of Police Ashok Rattan confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and assured that all aspects of the case would be examined impartially.
The registered case includes charges under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 3 (5) (common intention) of the BNS, and Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act 2009.
Details of the complaint
In a complaint to the police, her father Vikram Kumar alleged that on Sept 18 last year, three students, namely Harshita, Aakriti, and Komolika, had allegedly intimidated and assaulted his daughter.
He accused Professor Ashok Kumar of indulging in obscene acts with the victim.
“The complaint could not be lodged earlier as my daughter was traumatised and had to be hospitalised,” Kumar told the police.
The victim’s father told the police that after the alleged harassment and intimidation, his daughter became mentally disturbed, leading to a sharp deterioration in her health.
She was treated at multiple hospitals across Himachal Pradesh before being referred to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in Ludhiana, Punjab, where she succumbed during treatment on Dec 26.
Opposition demands high-level probe
Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur demanded a fair, impartial, and high-level investigation into Pallavi’s death, highlighting broader concerns over governance and women’s safety under the present Congress government.
Describing the incident as “extremely painful and tragic,” Thakur said allegations of police and administrative negligence could not be ignored.
He called on the Chief Minister to take cognisance of the matter, stressing that “this is not merely an incident, but a question of accountability of the system.”
Thakur further alleged a rise in crimes against women during the Congress government’s tenure and criticised authorities for reportedly ignoring serious complaints at an initial stage.
He emphasised that the investigation should proceed swiftly and transparently to restore public confidence and ensure justice for the victim. - The Statesman/ANN
