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3 Himachal Assistant Professors dismissed in Sexual harassment cases after probe confirms misconduct
Shimla, Apr 16,
In a strong signal on campus safety and accountability, the Himachal Pradesh Government has dismissed three Assistant Professors from service in separate cases of sexual harassment involving college students, following detailed departmental inquiries that found serious misconduct.
The orders, issued by the Higher Education Department, relate to incidents reported from Hamirpur, Shimla and Chamba districts. In all three cases, the accused were placed under suspension earlier and later subjected to disciplinary proceedings under Central Civil Services (CCA) Rules before being awarded the major penalty of “dismissal from service.”
In the first case, an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at a government college in Nadaun (Hamirpur) was found guilty of sexually harassing a first-year B.Sc. student during a practical class. The inquiry report upheld the student’s testimony as consistent and credible, corroborated by an eyewitness. The findings concluded that the accused engaged in repeated inappropriate physical contact despite resistance, constituting grave misconduct and abuse of authority.
A second case involves an Assistant Professor (Dance–Kathak) linked to Jawahar Lal Nehru Government College of Fine Arts, Shimla, later posted in Dharamshala. The inquiry established that he had not only attempted to molest a student but had also misused his position by calling students to his residence under the pretext of practice sessions. Evidence including call records and recordings supported the allegations, while attempts to influence the complainant’s family further aggravated the charges.
In the third case, an Assistant Professor of Mathematics posted in Chamba was found guilty of sexually harassing a second-year B.Sc. student. The inquiry noted that the accused had contacted the student through messages and lured her under false pretenses before attempting physical advances. The misconduct was described as “grave and reprehensible,” highlighting a clear breach of trust inherent in the teacher-student relationship.
Across all three cases, the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission was consulted before the final decision, as required under rules. The government orders emphasize that such conduct not only violates service norms but also undermines institutional integrity, student safety, and public trust in the education system.
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The dismissal orders state that the penalty will ordinarily disqualify the individuals from future government employment, reinforcing the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on sexual misconduct in educational institutions.
The action is likely to have wide implications for higher education campuses across the state, with authorities signaling stricter enforcement of accountability mechanisms and internal complaint processes.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.