Two months after 21-year-old Aditya Thakur, a second-year computer science student at Panjab University’s UIET, was fatally stabbed during a concert by Haryanvi singer Masoom Sharma, an inquiry report by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Naveen Kumar highlighted significant lapses by the university administration and student council.

The report revealed that the university had underestimated the event’s crowd, expecting 4,000 attendees while around 10,000 showed up, leading to grossly inadequate security arrangements. Despite minimal private security being deployed, layered security protocols were poorly implemented, and police presence was deliberately reduced at the event. This contributed to a chaotic environment when delays in the singer’s performance agitated the crowd.

Crucially, the report flagged the absence of ambulances — a must-have for large-scale events. When Aditya was stabbed, he was first transported in a police van before an ambulance arrived. By the time he reached the hospital, he had lost a critical amount of blood and suffered aspiration, which worsened his condition. Proper on-site medical aid could have potentially saved his life.

The student council was criticized for poor event planning, limited budgeting, and failing to consult experts for organizing such a large gathering.

The incident stemmed from a violent altercation near the venue involving Aditya and a group of unidentified youths. Four students were arrested within two days in connection with the stabbing.

Following the tragedy, PU has implemented several safety measures:

• Appointing former SP Tejinder Singh Sandhu as campus security advisor

• Hiring a law professor as faculty supervisor of the security department

• Advertising 54 new security posts, the first in a decade

• Restricting outsider access to campus

• Banning Holi celebrations and star nights at the Student Centre

These steps aim to strengthen campus safety and prevent future tragedies.