Chandigarh, Jan 3: A government college teacher accused in a case related to the death of a 19-year-old student in Dharamsala has been suspended as authorities launched a parallel departmental probe, officials said Saturday.
The Education Department ordered the suspension of Ashok Kumar, an assistant professor of geography, after his name figured in an FIR registered on the complaint of the student’s father.
“The suspension has been ordered to facilitate a fair inquiry into the allegations,” Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar said in the order issued from Shimla.
The department cited Rule 10(1) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, stating that Kumar’s continued presence at the college could affect the inquiry process.
Pallavi, a BA first-year student at Dharamsala Government Degree College, died on December 26 while undergoing treatment at Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana. Her father alleged that sustained harassment, including ragging, verbal abuse and caste-based remarks, pushed her into severe psychological distress.
“She was beaten and humiliated repeatedly. Her condition worsened due to mental trauma,” the complaint stated.
In response, the Directorate of Higher Education constituted a four-member committee to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the circumstances leading to the student’s death.
“The panel will submit a comprehensive report within three days, covering all allegations against teachers and students,” said an official familiar with the order.
The committee is headed by Additional Director Higher Education Harish Kumar, with principals from three government colleges included as members.
Kumar, who has secured anticipatory bail, denied any wrongdoing.
“These allegations are false. I will cooperate with the investigation,” he told mediapersons.
Police said a case has been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections related to sexual harassment and causing hurt, along with the state’s anti-ragging law.
Authorities said both the criminal investigation and the departmental inquiry will proceed simultaneously.
