Chandigarh, Jan 3: The Himachal Pradesh Education Department has suspended a government college teacher after he was named in a police case linked to the death of a 19-year-old Dalit student in Dharamsala, officials said Saturday.
Assistant Professor Ashok Kumar, who teaches geography at Dharamsala Government Degree College, was placed under suspension pending a departmental inquiry into allegations of harassment and ragging, Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar said.
“As per media reports, the prima facie involvement of Ashok Kumar cannot be ruled out. In order to ascertain the facts, disciplinary proceedings against him are contemplated,” the suspension order said.
During the suspension period, Kumar’s headquarters will remain at the Directorate of Higher Education in Shimla, and he has been barred from leaving without prior approval.
The action follows an FIR lodged by Vikram Kumar, father of the deceased student Pallavi, who accused faculty members and students of subjecting his daughter to repeated harassment, caste-based remarks and intimidation.
Police said Pallavi, a BA first-year student, was hospitalised after alleged physical assault and harassment. She later died during treatment at DMC Ludhiana on December 26, the complaint stated.
A four-member fact-finding committee has been constituted to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the incident. The panel is headed by Additional Director Higher Education Harish Kumar, with principals of government colleges at Dhaliara, Baijnath and Naura as members.
“The committee will examine all aspects, including alleged harassment, sexual misconduct, ragging and caste-related comments by teachers and students,” an education department official said, adding that the report is to be submitted within three days.
Meanwhile, Kumar, who has obtained anticipatory bail, rejected the allegations.
“The accusations are baseless. I will fully cooperate with the police investigation,” he told reporters.
A video clip purportedly showing Pallavi narrating her ordeal from a hospital bed has gone viral on social media, intensifying public outrage.
Police have registered a case under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 3 of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act, 2009. Investigations are ongoing.
