‘Prepared to face consequences if found guilty’: Accused in Dharamshala college student death case | Shimla News

DHARAMSHALA: As protests intensify in Dharamshala over the death of a 19-year-old Dalit college student, accused teacher Ashok Kumar said he was prepared to face consequences if found guilty and would cooperate with the ongoing probe.The 19-year-old student died while undergoing treatment in Ludhiana in December. Her family has alleged that she was subjected to ragging, physical assault and sexual harassment at her college, which they say led to severe mental trauma and a decline in her health, according to news agency ANI. Responding to the allegations, Kumar said, “These allegations are very serious, and an investigation is currently in progress. If I am found guilty, I should face the consequences. I am prepared for this. With 26.5 years of teaching experience and countless students, I have never faced such accusations before. 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.“Referring to his suspension, he added, “The government suspended me, likely believing I deserved it, and I accept that. Suspension allows for an impartial investigation. The girl should get justice, and I should too.” Kumar further said he had obtained legal relief and would cooperate with authorities. “I obtained anticipatory bail, and now we await the next developments. We will cooperate fully,” he said. The student’s death has triggered protests in Dharamshala, with family members and political groups demanding accountability. Police have registered a case, and investigations are underway. The state government has assured strict action based on the findings of an inquiry committee. Meanwhile, Government College Dharamshala Principal Rakesh Pathania clarified the student’s academic status.The victim was a first-year student in 2024-2025. After that, in the new session, she attended some second-year classes. However, when her results were released, it was revealed that she had failed three subjects, so she was asked to repeat the first year,” Pathania said. He added, “However, she didn’t do this. We cannot call her our student now, since she didn’t take admission. We learned of the incident on December 22, when police visited our college for an investigation. We cooperated fully, unaware of the incident beforehand.” Pathania said all concerned students and staff had cooperated with the probe. “All students, including those named in the FIR, were present that day. The police then recorded their and the teachers’ statements. The three girls, whose names are on record, are currently second-year BA students at our college,” he said. On institutional safeguards, the principal said, “The UGC will send its committee for investigation to verify whether its guidelines and rules are being followed at our level. We are cooperating with them. We already have a ragging committee and a harassment committee. Everything is on record.” He added that higher authorities had been informed. “We have already informed the higher authorities of the action taken and all the facts and figures. Any action taken by the higher authorities will now be final. The police are verifying our records. We are cooperating with the police and providing them with all available records. We are always available.” The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday demanded a fair and impartial inquiry by a senior police officer into the student’s death. A CPI(M) delegation met Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari in Shimla and submitted a memorandum seeking a comprehensive investigation. State Secretary CPI(M) Sanjay Chauhan expressed concern over rising atrocities against women and Dalits. “Though cases have been registered against three students and a professor, the seriousness of the allegations warrants a deeper probe,” he said. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said preliminary action had already been taken, including the suspension of the professor and the formation of an inquiry committee. “We have taken preliminary action and suspended the professor concerned. A committee has been established and will submit a detailed report after reviewing all relevant facts, including the video recording. Strict action will be taken against whoever is found responsible,” Sukhu said.