Two separate investigation teams formed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Himachal Pradesh Education Department have started parallel inquiries into the death of a Dalit girl, Pallavi' studying at Government College, Dharamsala.
The death followed serious allegations of prolonged ragging and physical, sexual and mental harassment.
A five-member UGC panel, led by Raj Kumar Mittal, a UGC member and former vice-chancellor of Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, began its probe by interacting with college authorities and students.
Other members include former UGC member Professor Sushma Yadav, Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor Dr Neerja Gupta, Pondicherry University Vice-Chancellor Professor P Prakash Babu and UGC Joint Secretary Dr Sunita Siwach.
The UGC team held thorough discussions with college principal Rakesh Pathania and reviewed the institution’s anti-ragging mechanisms, grievance redressal systems, student support services and campus security.
The panel is likely to stay in Dharamsala for at least three days and will interact with students, faculty, non-teaching and administrative staff. It may also meet police officers linked to the ongoing criminal investigation.
The UGC inquiry aims to examine whether the college followed UGC rules on student safety, ragging prevention and sexual harassment redressal. The panel has been asked to submit a report within seven days of completing the inquiry.
At the same time, a separate state-level inquiry team headed by Additional Director (Colleges) Harish Kumar has also visited the campus.
The team, comprising three college principals, interacted with students and staff, recorded statements and examined documents related to the case. Sources said it also reviewed the status of the police investigation.
Earlier, the state government suspended Associate Professor Ashok Kumar after his name surfaced in connection with the allegations. Officials said further action would depend on the inquiry findings.
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