A third-year English undergraduate student at Jadavpur University was found dead Thursday night after being pulled unconscious from a pond near the campus’ Gate No. 4, triggering outrage among student groups and reigniting debates over campus safety.

The victim, identified as Anamika Mondal, a resident of Nimta in Belgharia, was discovered around 10:20 p.m. floating in the pond adjacent to the Arts Faculty Students’ Union room, where a cultural program organized by the university’s “Drama Club” was underway. The event featured folk singer Gaur Das Baul and his troupe, and was attended by both students and alumni.

According to eyewitnesses, Mondal was rushed out of the water by fellow students, who attempted CPR and tried to drain water from her lungs before taking her to KPC Medical College and Hospital nearby. Doctors there declared her dead on arrival.

Police have registered a case of “unnatural death” and sent her body for post-mortem examination. Forensic teams are expected to visit the campus Friday. Investigators said they are examining footage from three CCTV cameras installed near Gate No. 4 — one facing the entrance, another near the security room, and a third covering the Arts Faculty area.

Authorities are probing whether Mondal had slipped into the pond while walking toward two toilets located beyond the narrow pathway skirting the waterbody. “How exactly she fell into the pond remains unclear. CCTV footage may help us reconstruct the sequence of events,” a police official said.

The incident quickly sparked political and student reactions. The Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) questioned why the university administration had permitted a late-night program. TMCP state president Trinankur Bhattacharya said, “This is extremely unfortunate. Two years ago, we lost Swapnadeep. Now again another student. These are not normal deaths. We have long demanded CCTV surveillance across campus and a permanent police outpost. Those who opposed these measures cannot shirk responsibility. The absence of a permanent vice-chancellor has only worsened matters.”

TMCP vice president Sudip Raha echoed the demand, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “The necessity of CCTV at Jadavpur University has been proved again.”

The rival Students’ Federation of India (SFI), however, criticized what it called opportunistic politics. SFI’s all-India general secretary and Jadavpur alumnus Srijan Bhattacharya said, “As an alumnus, I am shocked. Only Trinamool can indulge in political one-upmanship in such a tragic moment. There were CCTVs at RG Kar Medical College, yet Tilottama had to die there. At South Calcutta Law College, where there is no Left presence, another incident occurred. So CCTV alone is not the answer.”

The tragedy drew chilling parallels to a 2023 incident, when a first-year Bengali student, allegedly a victim of ragging, fell to his death from a hostel balcony on the same campus. That episode had led to increased surveillance and installation of more cameras, though students say entry IDs are still not strictly checked.

The latest death has left the campus in mourning and raised fresh concerns about the safety of students, especially in the absence of strong administrative leadership. As Mondal’s family awaits answers, students and alumni alike are bracing for yet another round of debate over whether Jadavpur University has done enough to protect its community.