RTI reveals faulty cameras and student’s escape over wall from NINE campus.

Chandigarh A shocking revelation has emerged in the case of a nursing student who went missing from the National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE) at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. The incident, which has left students and parents worried, took a new turn after a Right to Information (RTI) query disclosed that the main gate CCTV camera of the institute was not functioning on the day the student disappeared.

According to details obtained through the RTI, the faulty camera meant there was no official footage available to trace the movements of the student. Later, internal inquiries and testimonies revealed that the student did not use the main gate to leave the campus but instead climbed over the boundary wall. This revelation has raised serious concerns regarding security arrangements at one of the country’s leading medical education institutions.

The nursing student, whose sudden disappearance sparked massive concern, was last seen inside the campus before she went missing. With the main gate CCTV out of order, there was little evidence to establish the exact time of her exit. Parents and fellow students have expressed anger over the lax security, arguing that such negligence puts hundreds of young nursing students at risk.

The authorities of NINE and PGIMER have faced criticism for not maintaining functional surveillance systems despite repeated claims of high security. Students have shared that they often feel unsafe, particularly because outsiders can easily enter or leave the premises unnoticed if cameras are not working. The student’s disappearance has also prompted discussions about whether hostel security checks are properly enforced.

Family members of the missing student have been pleading for stronger efforts to locate her. They believe that if the CCTV cameras had been working, there might have been vital clues that could have helped track her whereabouts sooner. The sense of helplessness is evident among them, as every day without answers deepens their anxiety.

Officials at PGIMER have assured that they are coordinating with the police to trace the student. The Chandigarh Police, too, have been investigating the case, but the lack of proper CCTV footage has slowed down progress. Law enforcement is now relying on witness statements, digital footprints, and other surveillance in nearby areas to reconstruct the timeline of the student’s disappearance.

Security experts say the failure of basic surveillance infrastructure at such a reputed institute is a wake-up call. They stress that institutions with large student populations, particularly female students, must ensure that cameras are always in working order, gates are monitored, and safety measures are prioritized.

As the search continues, the missing student’s case has highlighted an urgent need for improved campus security across educational institutions in India. For the families who send their children away for higher education, safety must not be a question mark. Until the student is traced, the lingering questions around her disappearance and the faulty cameras at NINE will remain a serious blot on the institute’s security system.