Chandigarh: PhD scholar dies of electrocution in Panjab University; students stage protest

July 28, 2026

A female PhD scholar died of electrocution at Chandigarh’s Panjab University (PU) on Tuesday morning. She was on her way from the girls’ hostel to her department for studies when she suddenly collapsed on an unpaved path. Seeing this, other students rushed to help her up.

By the time she was taken to the hospital, she had already passed away. The deceased was a native of Haryana and was residing in the girls’ hostel while pursuing her studies. Preliminary investigations suggest electrocution as the cause of death, though the inquiry is ongoing.

Meanwhile, students angered by the incident have laid siege to the residence of the PU Vice-Chancellor (VC). They scaled the gates to enter the premises. Amidst the tense atmosphere, Chandigarh Police personnel have been deployed at the site.

Student suddenly collapsed on an unpaved path

According to the university administration, Jyoti (28), a native of Rewari, was a PhD scholar in the Department of Microbiology at Panjab University. On Tuesday morning, she was walking from Girls’ Hostel-10 to the Microbiology Department. While passing along an unpaved path—located beside the road connecting Girls’ Hostel-8 and the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET)—she suddenly collapsed.

Electrocution discovered when students reached the spot

Other students immediately rushed to her aid and discovered that she had suffered an electric shock. With the help of university staff, they promptly took Jyoti to the hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Upon learning of the incident, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a protest on the university campus.