Chandigarh: A one-week deadline has stretched to 40 days, with the magisterial inquiry into Panjab University PhD scholar Jyoti’s death still awaiting completion. The probe, ordered by the UT administration after her alleged electrocution on July 28, has not yet submitted its report, with DC Nishant Kumar Yadav saying the viscera report is still awaited.Jyoti, 28, had died after allegedly coming into contact with electric current while crossing a waterlogged stretch near the girls’ hostels. The death triggered massive student protests, an FIR and demands that responsibility be fixed. The Chandigarh administration subsequently ordered a three-member magisterial inquiry, with a one-week deadline to submit its report.A senior UT official confirmed that the inquiry has not been completed yet, saying the viscera report is still awaited. The official indicated that the findings would move ahead once the forensic report is available.The delay also means that the family has not received the postmortem report. Jyoti’s maternal uncle (mama) Sunil Kumar told TOI that when the family asked about the report, officials told them it would be provided after the viscera report is received.“There is no postmortem report with us yet. They are saying it will be given after the viscera report comes,” Sunil said.For the family, however, another part of the university’s assurance is moving faster. The university had promised a job to Jyoti’s younger brother as part of the settlement reached after hours of negotiations on the night of the protests. Sunil said the formalities for the appointment have now been completed.“PU has said the joining letter will be given soon. The document verification and other formalities have been completed,” he said.The inquiry was ordered after students demanded accountability for the alleged lapses that led to Jyoti’s death. Two engineering officials- executive engineer-II Anil Thakur and officiating SDE (electrical) Lakhwinder Singh Dhanoa- were suspended on July 29, a day after the death. However, as reported earlier by TOI, the university subsequently moved to revoke their suspension even before the magisterial inquiry concluded. Registrar Prof Y P Verma had said the university could not presume that the two officials were responsible when the inquiry had not established responsibility.The suspension orders had stated that the officials would remain suspended until completion of the ongoing inquiry/investigation or until further orders.Meanwhile, PU has begun safety-related work in hostels and constituted departmental safety committees following directions for a comprehensive campus safety audit.Box-July 28: Jyoti dies after alleged electrocution on PU campus.July 29: Two engineering officials suspended; magisterial inquiry ordered.Aug 5: PU moves to reinstate suspended engineers even as inquiry remains pending.Sept 6: 40 days since the inquiry was ordered; report still awaited.Box- Family’s job assurancePU had promised employment to Jyoti’s younger brother.Document verification and other formalities completed.Family says PU has assured that joining letter will be issued soon.Family is still awaiting Jyoti’s postmortem report, which officials have linked to the pending viscera report.
