Panjab University: PhD scholar dies of electrocution in campus, students hold protest

Chandigarh: A woman PhD scholar at Panjab University's Department of Microbiology died after allegedly being electrocuted in the campus on Tuesday, triggering protest from the student, officials said. The incident occurred when Jyoti, 28, going to the department from her hostel, took an unpaved pathway -- as the rainfall waterlogged the area -- and came into contact with an electric current that may have passed from a nearby electric junction box, they said.

Thereafter, she collapsed and was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared her dead. Jyoti, a resident of Haryana's Rewari, was pursuing a PhD in the Department of Microbiology at Panjab University, the officials said, adding that her family has been informed about the incident.

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Students protest PhD scholar's death at PU

Protesting Jyoti's death, students raised slogans against the authorities and staged a 'dharna outside the Vice Chancellor's office, seeking action against those responsible for electricity maintenance. "It was an unfortunate incident. Nobody is ready to take responsibility for the incident.

We demand accountability from the university authorities," a protesting student said. Appealing the protesting students to calm down, University VC Renu Vig said, "It is an unfortunate incident. We will do whatever we can. If anyone is responsible for the incident, responsibility will be fixed."