The family of Panjab University doctoral scholar Jyoti has rejected the handling of a magisterial inquiry into her death on campus and questioned why two university engineering officials were reinstated before the probe was completed. The family has also sought accountability for alleged safety and maintenance lapses and action on a promised job for Jyoti’s younger brother.
Jyoti, 28, a research scholar in microbiology, died on July 28 near Girls Hostel Number 8 on the university’s South Campus while she was walking to her department, according to the report. The circumstances surrounding the death remain subject to the final chemical and histopathology reports cited in the administrative communication.
The family said it had not officially received the inquiry report and had instead learned about its findings through newspaper reports and information shared by relatives. “Neither the university nor the Union Territory administration has officially provided us with the inquiry report,” Jyoti’s paternal uncle Jitendra was quoted as saying.
The family has specifically questioned the reinstatement of two engineering officials who were suspended a day after the incident. Jitendra said the inquiry report referred to fixing responsibility and that the family was waiting to see what action the university would take against those found responsible.
On Tuesday, Chandigarh’s deputy commissioner forwarded the inquiry report to the Panjab University vice-chancellor. The communication instructed the university to assign responsibility to the subdivisional electrical engineer, the junior engineer-in-charge, the electrical inspector and maintenance staff. It also called for departmental proceedings into alleged lapses involving inspection, maintenance and safety management.
The deputy commissioner directed the university to conduct an immediate electrical safety audit of the South Campus and rectify defects on priority. Further action was to be taken after the final chemical and histopathology reports establish the cause of death, according to the report.
The family, which lives in Kakrala village in Haryana’s Mahendragarh district, said it was effectively excluded from the inquiry proceedings. Jitendra said the family had been unable to travel to Chandigarh because of distance and financial constraints and had requested a virtual hearing on August 17. According to him, no officials joined the scheduled video call.
The dispute highlights the administrative difficulty families can face when inquiries into deaths at public institutions proceed without direct communication with affected relatives. In this case, the family’s concerns extend beyond the inquiry findings to the process by which responsibility will be assigned, the timing of officials’ reinstatement and the completion of safety audits on campus.
The family has also sought implementation of what it said was an assurance from the university registrar to provide a job to Jyoti’s younger brother, Pawan. Jitendra said the family would wait until Diwali before escalating the matter to higher offices if the job was not provided.
Panjab University representatives did not respond to requests for comment on the family’s concerns, the reinstatement of the officials or the proposed administrative action, according to the report. The university’s next steps include the South Campus electrical safety audit, correction of identified defects and consideration of departmental proceedings after the remaining reports are received.
