Panjab University PhD scholar's death raises campus safety concerns
A Panjab University PhD scholar died after an electrocution on the waterlogged campus on Tuesday. The death triggered student protests and demands for a transparent inquiry into campus safety. The existing VC's tenure end pushed the administration to assign the VC duties to Dean Goyal.
A PhD scholar studying at Panjab University died after being electrocuted inside the campus on Tuesday. The scholar was walking through the campus after torrential rain left several areas waterlogged. She reportedly took a different route from Girls' Hostel No. 8 to reach the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) for her class.
The PhD scholar has been identified as Jyoti, a resident of Rewari, Haryana. She was pursuing her doctorate in the Department of Microbiology/Biotechnology at Panjab University.
Following the incident, students accused the university administration of negligence and staged a protest by blocking the administration building. They demanded a fair investigation and accountability from the officials responsible.
Later in the day, the Ministry of Education assigned Dr Meenakshi Goyal, Dean of University Instruction at Panjab University, to discharge the duties of the Vice-Chancellor with effect from the forenoon of July 29.
The decision came as Professor Renu Vig's tenure as Vice-Chancellor ended on July 28. Dr Goyal will hold the additional charge until alternative arrangements are made or further orders are issued.
The timing of the decision is significant, as it appears to connect the two events.
ELECTROCUTION AFTER HEAVY RAIN
Heavy overnight rain had left large parts of the campus waterlogged. Jyoti reportedly chose an unpaved stretch connecting Girls' Hostel No. 8 and UIET after the main pathway was flooded.
According to initial reports, she came into contact with a live electric current while walking through the waterlogged area. The current is suspected to have originated from a nearby electric pole, junction box or exposed wiring. She collapsed at the spot.
People present nearby rushed to help and took her to a government hospital. Doctors declared her dead on arrival.
The exact source of the electric current has not been officially confirmed. Police have sent the body for a post-mortem examination, and the cause of death will be established after the report is received.
Some student leaders claimed that another student had received an electric shock at the same location earlier in the day, raising questions over whether the area had remained unsafe despite warning signs.
STUDENTS PROTEST ON CAMPUS
News of Jyoti's death triggered protests across the campus. Students entered the administrative office premises, raising slogans against the university administration.
Another group marched towards the Vice-Chancellor's residence, following which Chandigarh Police deployed personnel to maintain order.
A delegation of student leaders, including members of the Panjab University Campus Students' Union (PUCSU), met Vice-Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig and submitted a list of demands.
The students sought the immediate suspension or resignation of the Executive Engineer (XEN) and other officials responsible for campus electrical infrastructure. They also demanded a time-bound investigation, compensation for Jyoti's family and a comprehensive safety audit of electric poles, streetlights, junction boxes and exposed wiring across the campus.
Students alleged that poor maintenance of campus infrastructure has been a long-standing issue. They pointed to waterlogged pathways, ageing electrical fittings and the lack of regular safety inspections as major concerns.
They urged the university to carry out routine inspections before the monsoon season to identify and fix potential hazards instead of acting only after accidents occur.
The university administration said the incident is being jointly investigated by Chandigarh Police and university authorities to determine the source of the electric current and whether any negligence was involved.
As of Tuesday evening, protests continued on the campus, with students demanding a transparent probe and immediate safety measures.
A PhD scholar studying at Panjab University died after being electrocuted inside the campus on Tuesday. The scholar was walking through the campus after torrential rain left several areas waterlogged. She reportedly took a different route from Girls' Hostel No. 8 to reach the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) for her class.
The PhD scholar has been identified as Jyoti, a resident of Rewari, Haryana. She was pursuing her doctorate in the Department of Microbiology/Biotechnology at Panjab University.
Following the incident, students accused the university administration of negligence and staged a protest by blocking the administration building. They demanded a fair investigation and accountability from the officials responsible.
Later in the day, the Ministry of Education assigned Dr Meenakshi Goyal, Dean of University Instruction at Panjab University, to discharge the duties of the Vice-Chancellor with effect from the forenoon of July 29.
The decision came as Professor Renu Vig's tenure as Vice-Chancellor ended on July 28. Dr Goyal will hold the additional charge until alternative arrangements are made or further orders are issued.
The timing of the decision is significant, as it appears to connect the two events.
ELECTROCUTION AFTER HEAVY RAIN
Heavy overnight rain had left large parts of the campus waterlogged. Jyoti reportedly chose an unpaved stretch connecting Girls' Hostel No. 8 and UIET after the main pathway was flooded.
According to initial reports, she came into contact with a live electric current while walking through the waterlogged area. The current is suspected to have originated from a nearby electric pole, junction box or exposed wiring. She collapsed at the spot.
People present nearby rushed to help and took her to a government hospital. Doctors declared her dead on arrival.
The exact source of the electric current has not been officially confirmed. Police have sent the body for a post-mortem examination, and the cause of death will be established after the report is received.
Some student leaders claimed that another student had received an electric shock at the same location earlier in the day, raising questions over whether the area had remained unsafe despite warning signs.
STUDENTS PROTEST ON CAMPUS
News of Jyoti's death triggered protests across the campus. Students entered the administrative office premises, raising slogans against the university administration.
Another group marched towards the Vice-Chancellor's residence, following which Chandigarh Police deployed personnel to maintain order.
A delegation of student leaders, including members of the Panjab University Campus Students' Union (PUCSU), met Vice-Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig and submitted a list of demands.
The students sought the immediate suspension or resignation of the Executive Engineer (XEN) and other officials responsible for campus electrical infrastructure. They also demanded a time-bound investigation, compensation for Jyoti's family and a comprehensive safety audit of electric poles, streetlights, junction boxes and exposed wiring across the campus.
Students alleged that poor maintenance of campus infrastructure has been a long-standing issue. They pointed to waterlogged pathways, ageing electrical fittings and the lack of regular safety inspections as major concerns.
They urged the university to carry out routine inspections before the monsoon season to identify and fix potential hazards instead of acting only after accidents occur.
The university administration said the incident is being jointly investigated by Chandigarh Police and university authorities to determine the source of the electric current and whether any negligence was involved.
As of Tuesday evening, protests continued on the campus, with students demanding a transparent probe and immediate safety measures.
A PhD scholar studying at Panjab University died after being electrocuted inside the campus on Tuesday. The scholar was walking through the campus after torrential rain left several areas waterlogged. She reportedly took a different route from Girls' Hostel No. 8 to reach the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) for her class.
The PhD scholar has been identified as Jyoti, a resident of Rewari, Haryana. She was pursuing her doctorate in the Department of Microbiology/Biotechnology at Panjab University.
Following the incident, students accused the university administration of negligence and staged a protest by blocking the administration building. They demanded a fair investigation and accountability from the officials responsible.
Later in the day, the Ministry of Education assigned Dr Meenakshi Goyal, Dean of University Instruction at Panjab University, to discharge the duties of the Vice-Chancellor with effect from the forenoon of July 29.
The decision came as Professor Renu Vig's tenure as Vice-Chancellor ended on July 28. Dr Goyal will hold the additional charge until alternative arrangements are made or further orders are issued.
The timing of the decision is significant, as it appears to connect the two events.
ELECTROCUTION AFTER HEAVY RAIN
Heavy overnight rain had left large parts of the campus waterlogged. Jyoti reportedly chose an unpaved stretch connecting Girls' Hostel No. 8 and UIET after the main pathway was flooded.
According to initial reports, she came into contact with a live electric current while walking through the waterlogged area. The current is suspected to have originated from a nearby electric pole, junction box or exposed wiring. She collapsed at the spot.
People present nearby rushed to help and took her to a government hospital. Doctors declared her dead on arrival.
The exact source of the electric current has not been officially confirmed. Police have sent the body for a post-mortem examination, and the cause of death will be established after the report is received.
Some student leaders claimed that another student had received an electric shock at the same location earlier in the day, raising questions over whether the area had remained unsafe despite warning signs.
STUDENTS PROTEST ON CAMPUS
News of Jyoti's death triggered protests across the campus. Students entered the administrative office premises, raising slogans against the university administration.
Another group marched towards the Vice-Chancellor's residence, following which Chandigarh Police deployed personnel to maintain order.
A delegation of student leaders, including members of the Panjab University Campus Students' Union (PUCSU), met Vice-Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig and submitted a list of demands.
The students sought the immediate suspension or resignation of the Executive Engineer (XEN) and other officials responsible for campus electrical infrastructure. They also demanded a time-bound investigation, compensation for Jyoti's family and a comprehensive safety audit of electric poles, streetlights, junction boxes and exposed wiring across the campus.
Students alleged that poor maintenance of campus infrastructure has been a long-standing issue. They pointed to waterlogged pathways, ageing electrical fittings and the lack of regular safety inspections as major concerns.
They urged the university to carry out routine inspections before the monsoon season to identify and fix potential hazards instead of acting only after accidents occur.
The university administration said the incident is being jointly investigated by Chandigarh Police and university authorities to determine the source of the electric current and whether any negligence was involved.
As of Tuesday evening, protests continued on the campus, with students demanding a transparent probe and immediate safety measures.
