A final-year student at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala, tragically passed away, following a suspected cardiac arrest in her hostel. The deceased, a fifth-year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) student from Rohtak, Haryana, was residing in the Sarojini Hostel on campus.
According to official accounts, the deceased collapsed in the hostel corridor around 10:45 PM and was promptly transported to a private hospital in Patiala, where she was declared dead on arrival. The university administration has maintained that emergency services were activated immediately and that the ambulance arrived on campus within minutes.
However, students at the university have raised serious concerns about delays and lack of emergency support. Some students alleged that the ambulance, although present on campus, took nearly 40 minutes to reach the hostel. They also claimed that the wheelchair in the hostel was locked, and keys could not be found during the emergency.
Additional allegations include the absence of medical staff on campus after 10 PM. Students have asserted that the university’s health centre does not provide overnight emergency services and that the on-call doctor was unreachable at the time of the emergency. These delays, according to students, may have "critically impacted" deceased chances of survival.
The final cause of death will be confirmed in the post-mortem report. Police authorities at Bakshiwala Police Station confirmed that an inquest proceeding has been initiated, following the conduct of the post-mortem examination and subsequent release of the body to the family.
The incident has triggered widespread concern within the university community regarding the adequacy of RGNUL’s emergency medical infrastructure and protocols. The university, while expressing its condolences, announced a prayer meeting scheduled for Friday afternoon in memory of the deceased.
In light of the incident, examinations scheduled for May 22 were cancelled. The university has not yet released revised dates for the postponed assessments. This development follows a prior delay in examinations due to heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan.
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