Chandigarh: The family of a Panjab University research scholar who died on campus in July has expressed dissatisfaction with a magisterial inquiry into her death, questioning the premature reinstatement of suspended officials and demanding accountability for safety lapses.Jyoti, 28, a doctoral student in microbiology, died on July 28 near Girls Hostel Number 8 on the university’s South Campus while walking to her department. Her family said they had been left to learn about its findings indirectly.“Neither the university nor the Union Territory administration has officially provided us with the inquiry report,“ said Jitendra, Jyoti’s paternal uncle. “We have read about the findings in newspapers and what some relatives have sent us. We are not satisfied and want to know what action PU will be taken against those responsible.“The family also questioned why two engineering officials, who were suspended a day after the incident, were reinstated before the probe concluded .Jitendra said: “The report now talks about fixing responsibility. We are waiting to see what action the university takes and whether anyone is held accountable.“On Tuesday, Chandigarh’s deputy commissioner forwarded the report to the university’s vice-chancellor, instructing the institute to assign responsibility to the subdivisional electrical engineer (SDE), junior engineer-in-charge, electrical inspector, and maintenance staff.The communication called for departmental proceedings into inspection, maintenance, and safety management lapses. The DC directed the university to conduct an immediate electrical safety audit of the South Campus, rectify defects on priority, and take action once final chemical and histopathology reports determine the cause of death.Jitendra said the family, residing in Kakrala village of Haryana’s Mahendragarh district, was effectively excluded from the proceedings. Unable to travel to Chandigarh due to distance and financial constraints, they requested a virtual hearing on Aug 17, but no officials joined the scheduled video call.The family also seeks a promised job for Jyoti’s younger brother, Pawan, which they said the university registrar had previously assured. “We will wait till Diwali,“ Jitendra said. “If the job is not given by then, we will escalate the matter to higher offices.“University spokespersons did not respond to requests for comment regarding the family’s concerns, the reinstatement of officials, or proposed administrative action.
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