Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, January 3
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday expressed deep grief over the death of a 19-year-old student, amid allegations of ragging and serial harassment. He announced the suspension of the teacher facing allegations and assured a fair and impartial investigation, saying strict action would be taken against those found guilty. The death of a 19-year-old student at a government college in Dharamshala has triggered growing protests in Himachal Pradesh, with her family alleging she was subjected to ragging and harassment on campus. The student died on December 26 while undergoing treatment, days after her family says she slipped into depression following repeated incidents at the college. Police are investigating the case.
The political pressure has mounted in the state capital, Shimla, where the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) has launched demonstrations against the state government. The party has also questioned the handling of the case by the Dharamshala Police and the college administration. A video recorded before the student’s death has gone viral on social media. In the footage, she is seen making serious allegations against a teacher. Her family has accused fellow students of ragging and a faculty member of sexual harassment, allegations that authorities say are being examined as part of the probe.
Former legislator and CPI(M) leader Rakesh Singha said the case reflected a deeper institutional failure. He claimed the matter had been ongoing since July and that the family had repeatedly sought justice. “This situation did not arise suddenly,” he said, arguing that the case could no longer be left solely to the police.
Singha demanded clearly defined parameters for an impartial investigation and said protests would continue until justice was delivered. The state government has yet to respond in detail to the allegations, while police say enquiries are under way.
