Shimla, Jan 2,
The death of 19-year-old Pallavi, a Dalit student of Government Degree College, Dharamshala, has sparked sharp political reactions across Himachal Pradesh, with opposition leaders and organisations demanding a free, fair and high-level investigation, citing serious allegations of harassment, administrative inaction and possible caste-based atrocity.
Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur on friday said the incident raised “disturbing questions about governance, women’s safety and the functioning of the police and administration” under the present Congress government. Describing Pallavi’s death as “extremely painful and tragic,” Thakur asserted that allegations of repeated negligence by the police and administration could not be brushed aside.
“This is not merely an incident, but a question of accountability of the system. A high-level and unbiased inquiry is necessary so that the truth comes out and the victim gets justice,” he said, while conveying condolences to the bereaved family. Thakur maintained that the Chief Minister must take cognisance of the matter, warning that any pressure, influence or delay in the investigation would further erode public trust.
Linking the case to a broader concern over crimes against women, the Leader of the Opposition alleged that serious complaints are increasingly ignored at the initial stage, exposing the gap between governance claims and ground realities. Referring specifically to Pallavi’s case, he said the family has alleged harassment, intimidation and inaction despite prior information to the police.
Parallel to the BJP’s demand, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has formally approached the Director General of Police, seeking a senior-level probe. Former Shimla Municipal Corporation Mayor and CPI(M) State Secretary Sanjay Chauhan submitted a detailed memorandum to the DGP on January 2, urging a thorough and impartial inquiry into all circumstances leading to the student’s death .
The memorandum states that Pallavi’s father had complained that his daughter was physically assaulted and intimidated by fellow students and that there were serious allegations of molestation and obscene acts against a college professor. It records that Pallavi allegedly suffered sustained harassment and mental trauma, leading to a sharp decline in her health. She died on December 26, 2025, during treatment at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana.
The CPI(M) has also demanded that investigators examine whether the incident involved any element of atrocity against a Scheduled Caste student, stressing that such an angle requires mandatory and sensitive scrutiny under the law. “Keeping in view the serious nature of this incident, a free and fair enquiry headed by a senior police officer is essential so that the entire truth comes out and justice is delivered to the family,” the memorandum states .
Police have registered cases against certain girl students and a college teacher under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Ragging) Act, 2009. However, both the BJP and the CPI(M) have underlined that mere registration of cases will not suffice unless accountability is fixed for any prior lapses and the probe proceeds swiftly and transparently.
As the case draws statewide attention, pressure is mounting on the police leadership and the state government to demonstrate that the investigation will be independent, time-bound and free from influence, in order to restore public confidence and ensure justice for the deceased student.
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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.