Chandigarh: The family of Panjab University (PU) PhD scholar Jyoti, who died in an incident involving electrical safety on the university’s South Campus on July 28, has alleged that it was not meaningfully included in the magisterial enquiry into her death and has not received a copy of the report, even though the probe has been completed and the report submitted to the Chandigarh deputy commissioner.Jyoti’s paternal uncle, Jitendra, said the family received notices asking them to appear before the magisterial enquiry committee only a day before the scheduled hearings. However, they could not travel to Chandigarh because of the distance from their home in Kakrala village in Haryana’s Mahendragarh district and a lack of resources. He said the family had requested a virtual hearing so that it could participate in the proceedings.“An employee shared a link for a virtual meeting with us on Aug 17, but when we joined, nobody was there. Only two people were present, and no information related to the investigation was shared with us that day,” Jitendra said.He alleged that the family repeatedly requested to be included in the enquiry and kept informed about the proceedings, but received no response. “After that meeting, we have not received any information about the progress of the enquiry. Neither the report nor any other documents related to the investigation have been shared with us,” he said.Notices issued by the office of the director, social welfare, show that personal hearings were scheduled for Aug 4, Aug 14 and Sept 2. Those summoned were asked to appear before the committee with relevant documents, if any, in support of their submissions.The family has sought information on the current status of the enquiry, along with copies of all reports and related documents.The issue comes amid questions over the delay in forwarding the enquiry report to PU. The report was submitted to deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav around Oct 6. In a report published by TOI on Oct 13, Yadav had said, “The enquiry report will be sent to PU in a day or two. It has been marked by me.” However, PU said on Oct 22 that it had still not received the report.The enquiry reportedly found deficiencies in electrical safety and recommended departmental action against the sub-divisional engineer, junior engineer and electrical inspector concerned. It also called for individual responsibility to be fixed according to the duties assigned to the officials concerned.Jyoti, 28, was pursuing a PhD in microbiology at PU. She died near Girls Hostel No. 8 on the university’s South Campus while proceeding to her department.
