Dharamshala, Jan 3 (NationPress) The tragic passing of a 19-year-old female student, who reportedly suffered ragging and sexual harassment at her college, has ignited significant outrage throughout Himachal Pradesh. In response, the college administration has defended the accused professor, asserting that the deceased was not a registered student after failing three subjects in her first year.

This alarming incident surfaced on Friday in Dharamshala, where Pallavi, who allegedly endured ragging and sexual harassment at her institution, succumbed while receiving extended medical treatment.

The case has provoked widespread anger and has raised serious concerns regarding the responsibilities of both the college and the police.

The police have filed an FIR against four female students and a college professor in relation to the case.

However, the controversy has escalated as the college administration has declined to acknowledge the deceased as a current student of the institution.

This situation has prompted the victim's family to question the actions of both the college authorities and the police in addressing the issue.

Following Pallavi's death, who was affiliated with Dharamshala Degree College, grave accusations of ragging, sexual harassment, and mental torture have emerged.

In response to a complaint lodged by the victim's father, Vikram Kumar, the Dharamshala police have initiated a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to sexual harassment, voluntarily causing harm, and common intention. The FIR also incorporates Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009.

Kangra ASP Veer Bahadur confirmed the development, indicating that the matter had previously been addressed through the Chief Minister's helpline.

Responding to inquiries about police actions, he stated, "Concerns have been raised regarding the police; the reality is that upon receiving information, they promptly reached out to the victim’s family, only to find they were away for treatment."

He emphasized that the family was encouraged to contact the police upon their return to Dharamshala.

"The investigation is ongoing, with four female students and one professor named as involved parties," ASP added.

Meanwhile, the deceased student's father, Vikram Kumar, has expressed strong discontent with the college administration's and police's conduct, describing the societal mindset as problematic.

He accused the institution where he entrusted his daughter to be a safe learning environment of failing to protect her.

"The treatment she received from college students was intolerable, and the professor contributed significantly to her suffering," he alleged.

Vikram further claimed that his daughter faced casteist slurs and severe mental harassment.

"The mental torment she endured ultimately led her to take her own life. This is an appalling incident. If stringent measures are not enacted today, other daughters may face the same fate as my daughter, with no assurance of justice," he told reporters.

Expressing frustration with the police, he mentioned that the family felt compelled to reach out to the CM's helpline.

"In this predicament, they had no choice but to contact the CM's helpline. Had the police been more vigilant, perhaps this tragedy could have been prevented," Vikram stated.

In light of the incident, the college administration has publicly defended the accused professor.

College Principal Rakesh Pathania stated that while the deceased had previously been a student, she was not enrolled for the current academic year.

"Thus, to claim that she was studying at this college would misrepresent our institution's reputation," Pathania remarked.

He elaborated that the student had failed in three subjects during her first year and had been persistently pressuring the department professor for admission to the second year, which contravened university regulations.

"She left the college and was neither admitted to the first year nor the second year. However, she was spotted at college again in July and departed once more in September. Consequently, she currently holds no affiliation with the college as a regular student," he explained.

Pathania also asserted that the college enforces a zero-tolerance policy regarding ragging.

"Contact numbers for the anti-ragging committee are displayed in every block, yet we did not receive any complaints that warranted an investigation," he stated.

Vikram Shri Vats, Associate Professor of Physics and Head of the Professors' Unit at the college, has also publicly supported the accused professor Ashok.

While extending condolences to the grieving family, he remarked, "The allegations against our college professor Ashok are entirely unfounded. I denounce them and stand alongside the professor in this matter."

Similarly, Monica Makkar, Professor of Psychology at the college, defended the accused faculty member.

"We are fully supportive of Professor Ashok, who has been teaching here since 2006, and has never displayed any inappropriate behavior towards anyone," she stated.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has also intervened following the student's death.

Speaking to reporters, ABVP state secretary Nancy Atal expressed solidarity with the victim's family and criticized the actions of both the police and the college administration.

"Had timely action been taken regarding this incident, it’s likely this situation could have been avoided," she remarked.

Atal further accused the police of neglecting their responsibilities, alleging that they often procrastinate in criminal matters but act swiftly to suppress student movements.

As the investigation continues, more information is anticipated.