Jammu University student dies after falling from hostel balcony

A student of the University of Jammu died under mysterious circumstances late Tuesday evening after falling from the balcony of his hostel on the university campus.

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The deceased has been identified as Vishal Bhardwaj, a final-year student of the Law Department. He had appeared for an examination earlier in the day and was in his room at the time of the incident.

According to eyewitnesses, other students rushed to alert the university authorities after Vishal fell from the balcony. He was reportedly not breathing when found and was immediately taken to Government Medical College, Jammu, where doctors declared him brought dead. A post-mortem examination was conducted on Wednesday.

Vishal’s family members arrived in Jammu from Katra after being informed of the tragedy.

Sub-Inspector Sunil Singh, in-charge of the Nehru Market police post, said the investigation is in its initial stage. “The post-mortem has been conducted and the report is awaited. Statements of hostel residents will be recorded to ascertain the facts,” he said.

J&K NSUI president Ajay Lakhotra alleged negligence on the part of the university administration. “Although the authorities were informed immediately after the incident, an ambulance was not dispatched from within the campus for nearly 25 minutes. This delay may have cost the student his life,” he said.

While the university has not issued an official statement, a senior official said the administration is cooperating fully with the police. “It is important to determine under what circumstances the student came close to the balcony’s boundary wall and fell,” the official added.