The National Commission for Women (NCW) has intervened in the case of a 19-year-old woman student’s death at Government Degree College in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, following ragging, physical assault, and alleged sexual harassment. The NCW strongly condemned the incident, calling it a grave violation of the student’s rights and a failure of safety measures in educational institutions. The Chairperson of NCW has urged the Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police to promptly file an FIR, arrest the accused, and conduct a thorough investigation.
The NCW has demanded the preservation of medical records, strict action under relevant laws, and departmental measures against negligent faculty members. Additionally, a comprehensive review of the college’s anti-ragging policies and campus security enhancements have been ordered. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has also formed a Fact-Finding Committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the student’s demise, ensuring accountability for the perpetrators and prioritizing student safety.
Himachal Pradesh Police have registered a case against a college professor and three female students for their involvement in the ragging incident that led to the student’s death. The victim’s father accused the students of intimidation and physical assault, along with alleging inappropriate behavior by the professor. The student, who suffered mentally and physically due to the harassment, passed away during treatment at a hospital in Ludhiana, Punjab.
