CHANDIGARH, April 16: — Panjab University has temporarily relieved its dean student welfare (DSW) and chief of university security (CUS) as part of an internal inquiry into the fatal stabbing of UIET student Aditya Thakur last month during a cultural event on campus.
Officials confirmed Tuesday that the DSW Simrit Kahlon, associate DSW Naresh Kumar, and the security chief will remain relieved until the university’s inquiry committee, constituted in the wake of the incident, submits its findings later this week.
Professor Nandita Singh from the Department of Education, who heads the inquiry committee, has been given interim charge of the DSW office. “She will consult with other committee members to manage student welfare operations during the transition,” said PU registrar YP Verma, who will handle the financial duties of the DSW office.
Additional committee members include former DSW Emmanuel Nahar, Dean College Development Council Sanjay Kaushik, and campus security adviser Anil Monga. Meanwhile, Yogesh Kumar Rawal from the Zoology Department has been appointed acting security chief.
PU vice-chancellor Renu Vig noted that structural reforms are in the pipeline: “We are looking at systemic changes to strengthen campus security and improve administrative accountability.”
The internal inquiry by the PU committee runs parallel to a magisterial probe ordered by the UT administration, led by SDM (Central). Both reports are expected within the next two days.
Since the March 28 incident during a concert by singer Masoom Sharma, PU has faced mounting pressure from students. Five students began a hunger strike, demanding justice for Thakur and accountability from university officials. The administration had been in continuous talks to reach an agreement with the protestors.
If the committee finds lapses in oversight or negligence, officials said the relieved DSWs and CUS could be permanently removed.
