26 March,2026 01:54 PM IST | Pune | Archana Dahiwal
Students held a strong protest and demonstration on the college campus.
A tragic incident at the Student Cooperative Dining Hall of the College of Agriculture, Pune, claimed the life of a 23-year-old MBA student who suffered a severe electric shock while drinking water on campus.
The incident has sparked outrage among students and raised serious concerns about electrical safety and maintenance within the college premises.
The deceased, Chaitanya Chavan, was a first-year student of Agricultural Business Management (ABM). According to preliminary information, the incident occurred when Chavan pressed the water filter button and received a powerful electric shock upon touching the tap. Fellow students suspect that the electric current passed through the equipment, pointing to possible negligence in maintenance and safety inspections.
23-year-old MBA student Chaitanya Chavan.
Originally from Ashti village in Beed district, Chavan came from an economically distressed farming family and had been pursuing his education in Pune for the past five years. His sudden death has left his family devastated.
Following the incident, students gathered on campus and launched a peaceful protest demanding accountability, justice for Chavan, and immediate corrective measures to prevent similar accidents. Four days later, the student organisation Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) submitted a memorandum to the administration seeking a detailed probe.
Radheya Bahegavankar, Pune city secretary, told Mid-day, "On Wednesday, we went to meet the college authorities, but we were restricted from entering the premises. Our demand is to suspend those found guilty." The organisation has called for examination of CCTV footage, suspension of responsible officials, and strict action against those accountable.
Cooler.
The college administration stated that an internal inquiry is underway and assured that necessary action would be taken. Authorities also confirmed that certain related expenses are being borne by the institution. However, students warned that their agitation would continue until strict action is initiated. Nearly 200 to 300 students are currently staging a sit-in protest on campus.
Chavan's hostel mates informed him that the water cooler was not cooling, so he plugged it in again. The moment he touched the tap, he received a shock. A student standing behind him tried to help but could not. Someone then switched off the power. Chaitanya collapsed, briefly stood up and screamed, and then lost consciousness.
Students pointed out that footwear is strictly prohibited inside the mess, a rule they believe may have worsened the severity of the shock.
According to a private hospital, the patient was brought to the emergency department in an unresponsive condition. Chaitanya's father, Kundalik Chavan, a marginal farmer, received a call around 8:45 pm on March 14 from a college staff member informing him about the accident. He reached Pune at approximately 2 am. Chaitanya was placed on ventilator support at a private hospital near Pune Station, where doctors later informed the family that he had suffered severe brain damage. The family acknowledged that the college has provided some financial assistance.
State government officials stated that, as per safety protocols, all electrical systems must be fitted with protective tripping devices to prevent overloads, short circuits, and earth leakage.
Meanwhile, students staged a strong protest on Wednesday, blaming administrative negligence for the incident. Protesters organised a sit-in inside the college campus and put forward several key demands to the authorities:
Strict action against the guilty: Immediate legal action must be taken against those directly or indirectly responsible for the incident, including the mess contractor, electrical department staff, and concerned officials.
Acceptance of responsibility: The college administration must accept moral responsibility for the incident and take concrete steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Safety audit: A comprehensive safety audit of all electrical equipment in the college and hostels must be conducted immediately.
Considering the seriousness of the incident, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth has ordered electrical and structural audits of all its affiliated colleges.
