Himachal Pradesh College Student Death: Accused Professor Says He Is Ready to Face Consequences if Found Guilty

Amid growing calls for justice following the death of a 19-year-old college student in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, the accused assistant professor, Ashok Kumar, on Saturday said he was prepared to face the consequences if proven guilty.

The student passed away on December 26 while undergoing treatment in Ludhiana. She had reportedly been subjected to ragging by three female students and allegedly sexually harassed by the professor.

The victim’s father lodged a complaint against the three students and the professor earlier this week, alleging that they “harassed and levelled casteist remarks” at his daughter, according to reports.

On Saturday, the Himachal Pradesh government suspended Kumar, even as he maintained that the allegations against him were “completely false.” A Dharamshala court had earlier granted him anticipatory bail, directing him to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

“The allegations against me are completely false. The student was in my class last semester. This semester, she is in another professor’s class. I have no connection to this matter,” Kumar told reporters after securing bail.

Speaking to ANI, he said the investigation was ongoing. “If I am found guilty, I should face the consequences. I am prepared for this. In my 26.5 years of teaching, I have never faced such accusations. Perhaps it was my destiny or karma to endure this stain on my reputation. Now that it has happened, I am fully prepared to confront it,” Kumar added.

He also acknowledged his suspension, stating it would allow for an impartial probe. “The girl should get justice, and I should too,” he said.

The case drew national attention after a video, allegedly recorded by the student before her death, circulated on social media. In the video, she accused the professor of indecent acts, mental harassment, and intimidation when she objected to his behaviour.

A complaint was initially received via the Chief Minister’s Sankalp Seva Helpline, prompting the formation of an investigation team.

The Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday set up a four-member committee, led by the additional director of higher education, to conduct a preliminary probe into the student’s death. “This committee has three days to submit its report to the education secretary. Whoever is found guilty, the government and education department will take the strictest action,” said state education minister Rohit Thakur, noting that a police investigation is also ongoing.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a five-member fact-finding committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including omissions or lapses by college authorities and other responsible individuals. The UGC described the incident as “unfortunate.”

The student’s death has also sparked protests in Dharamshala.

Rakesh Pathania, principal of the government college where the student was enrolled, clarified her academic status. “She was a first-year student in 2024-25. In the next session, she attended some second-year classes but failed three subjects and was asked to repeat the first year. However, she did not re-enroll. We learned of the incident on December 22 when the police visited for investigation. We cooperated fully, having been unaware of the situation beforehand,” he told ANI.