PhD Scholar death: Panjab University offers settlement, awaits family’s response
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 29, 2026: Panjab University has offered a settlement to the family of Jyoti, a 26-year-old PhD scholar who died after allegedly being electrocuted during heavy rainfall on the university’s South Campus on July 28. The university is awaiting the family’s response to the offer.
Jyoti, a PhD scholar in the Department of Microbiology and a resident of Mahendragarh, Haryana, was reportedly on her way from Hostel No. 10 to her department when she came into contact with an exposed electrical cable lying in water on a footpath.
According to initial information, the incident was caused by a short circuit involving a junction box and a damaged cable. Jyoti was speaking to her mother on the phone when she suddenly screamed, after which her voice went silent.
The incident has raised serious concerns over electrical safety and infrastructure maintenance on the university campus, particularly during the monsoon season. Further details regarding the settlement offer and the family’s response are awaited.