Fatal Late-Night Accident in Mohali
A tragic accident claimed the lives of a Panjab University scholar and his two friends when their speeding Maruti Ertiga crashed near Boothgarh light-point on Siswan road in Mohali district late Sunday night.
The circumstances surrounding the accident are still under investigation. However, Mohali police have registered a case against an unidentified vehicle driver believed to be responsible for the incident.
Possible Causes of the Accident
Authorities are exploring multiple possibilities regarding the accident. The car may have:
- Rammed into a divider or wall
- Overturned due to high speed while navigating a speed-breaker
- Been hit by a heavy vehicle
The FIR was registered based on a complaint by Gaurav Panday, cousin of deceased Saurabh Panday, who alleged that a sand-laden tipper truck made a rash turn, causing the Ertiga’s driver to lose control.
Victims Identified
The deceased were identified as:
- Shubham Jattwal (25) – A PhD scholar in forensic science at Panjab University, originally from Palampur, Kangra.
- Saurabh Panday (26) – A graduate from PU’s human genome department (2023) and associated with PGIMER, Chandigarh.
- Rubina (24) – A resident of Hisar, Haryana, who is believed to be a PU alumna.
Survivor in Critical Condition
Maanvendra Tiwari (24), a research scholar in forensic science at PU, was driving the car and sustained serious injuries. He is currently receiving treatment at PGIMER, Chandigarh.
Speeding Likely a Factor
Investigators reported that the car was moving at 120 kmph when the accident occurred. It is suspected that the driver lost control after hitting a speed-breaker at Boothgarh light-point. However, police are also probing the possibility of another vehicle colliding with them.
The bodies were taken to the mortuary at the Phase 6 Civil Hospital, Mohali, for postmortem, and their families were notified.
Poor Road Conditions Contributed
Reports indicate that road reflectors were not functional near the speed-breaker, and the yellow line marking was unclear, making the area accident-prone.
Sunil Sharma, SHO of Majri police station, stated that he had written to authorities requesting the installation of necessary road safety infrastructure in the area.
Legal Action Taken
Majri police have filed an FIR under Sections 281 (rash driving) and 106 (causing death due to negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Panjab University Mourns the Loss of Scholar
The Panjab University Institute of Forensic Science and Criminology was enveloped in sorrow following the tragic demise of Shubham Jattwal.
Jattwal was a dedicated researcher pursuing his PhD under Professor Shweta Sharma and was a recipient of the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) from UGC.
Colleagues Remember Shubham Jattwal
Professor Vishal Sharma, a faculty member, recalled Shubham as a helpful and cheerful individual. “I never directly taught him, but I always saw him around. He was researching forensic toxicology related to nanoparticles,” he shared.
Before leaving for the ill-fated journey, Shubham had been working late at the laboratory, setting up a chemical reaction for analysis the next morning. A fellow research scholar discovered his work the next day, which left his peers heartbroken.
Fellow scholar Avinash described Shubham as a brother and expressed his grief over the loss. “We used to hang out together and loved taking trips to Kasauli,” he said.
PU Holds Candlelight Vigil
Students lit candles in the forensic science department to mourn the loss of their colleagues. A condolence meeting is expected to take place at Boys Hostel Number 3, where Shubham resided.
Maanvendra Singh Out of Danger
Avinash also shared that the injured survivor, Maanvendra Singh, who is pursuing research in forensic chemistry, is out of danger. “I’ve known him since his master’s days, and I used to help him with some concepts,” he added.
The tragic accident has left a deep impact on the university community, highlighting the urgent need for improved road safety measures in the region.
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