Student's Tragic Death Leads to FIR Against Professor and Peers
A professor and three female students from Government College in Dharamshala have been formally named in a First Information Report (FIR) following the mysterious death of a 19-year-old fellow student. The young woman had previously accused them of sexual harassment and severe ragging. She passed away on December 26 at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana, as confirmed by Kangra Superintendent of Police Ashok Ratan.
The exact cause of her death is currently under investigation. The case has gained significant attention after a distressing video of the victim, recorded in a Pathankot hospital, surfaced on social media on Thursday. In the video, she appears to be in immense difficulty while speaking.
Disturbing Video and Father's Allegations
In what is believed to be her last recorded statement, the young woman is seen responding to questions. When asked repeatedly if the professor touched her inappropriately, she nods and says, "Yes." She also states, "Sir would go after me." Acting on a formal complaint filed by her father, the Dharamshala police registered the case on Thursday.
The accused have been charged under multiple sections: BNS Section 75 (sexual harassment), BNS 115(2) (causing hurt), and BNS 3(5) (common intention). Additionally, they face charges under Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act, 2009.
The father's complaint provides harrowing details. He alleges that relentless harassment by the professor and the three accused students pushed his daughter into deep depression. The three accused were her classmates and are now in their second year, while the victim had failed her first-year exams.
History of Harassment and Deteriorating Health
The complaint details a specific incident on September 18 last year, when the three female students allegedly harassed and beat the victim during a ragging session. The assault was severe, with one of the accused reportedly hitting her with a bottle and cutting her hair.
"This incident troubled and scared her a lot. She kept saying that she did not want to go to the college as the students would kill her," her father stated in the complaint. Following her pleas, he enrolled her in a private computer academy on September 20.
However, her mental and physical condition continued to worsen. "Her condition kept deteriorating, and I took her to a doctor in Dharamshala. I changed many hospitals during the course of her treatment," the grieving father explained. The girl received treatment at seven different hospitals across Himachal Pradesh and Punjab before her demise in Ludhiana.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Probe
Kangra SP Ashok Ratan has assured a thorough investigation into all aspects of the case. "The victim was treated at seven hospitals. We are obtaining the treatment records to find out the exact cause of death. Many allegations were levelled, and we are verifying all the facts. A thorough inquiry will be conducted in this case," the SP said.
The police are currently in the process of collecting all medical records to determine the precise cause of death while simultaneously verifying the serious allegations of ragging and sexual harassment made against the professor and the three students.
