A college professor and three female students in Himachal Pradesh’s Dharamshala have been booked on charges of ragging, physical assault and sexual misconduct in connection with the death of a 19-year-old female student, police said on Thursday.

An FIR has been registered under Sections 75, 115(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009.

Allegations of ragging and sexual misconduct

According to the complaint filed by the victim’s father, the incident allegedly took place in September 2025 at a college in Dharamshala. The three students are accused of physically assaulting and intimidating his daughter, while the professor allegedly subjected her to obscene acts.

The father stated that the harassment and intimidation left his daughter deeply traumatised and mentally disturbed, leading to a sharp deterioration in her physical and emotional health.

Prolonged treatment before death

Police said the student was initially treated at multiple hospitals in Himachal Pradesh as her condition worsened. She was later referred to a hospital in Ludhiana, where she died during treatment on December 26, 2025.

The complainant told police that the delay in reporting the incident was due to his daughter’s prolonged critical illness and the family’s shock following her death.

After examining the complaint and conducting a preliminary inquiry, police registered a case against the accused.

Probe to examine sequence of events

Officials said the investigation will focus on allegations of ragging, physical assault, intimidation and sexual misconduct, as well as the sequence of events that allegedly led to the student’s declining health and eventual death.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Thakur condemned the incident, calling it “shameful”, and alleged possible police negligence in handling the case. He demanded a high-level and impartial inquiry to ensure justice for the victim and her family.

Assurance of strict action

Police officials have assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted and that those found responsible will face strict legal action under the law.

The incident has triggered outrage and renewed concerns over ragging and safety in educational institutions, with calls for stronger monitoring mechanisms and swift redressal of complaints to prevent such tragedies