Full Breakdown
LPU Protests Escalate Over Unverified Rape-Suicide Claims
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Incident: Campus Violence and Highway Blockade
On September 27, 2026, students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, gathered after social-media posts alleged that a female student had been raped on campus and later died by suicide. The protest turned violent: windows and flower pots were smashed, parts of academic buildings were set ablaze, and protesters climbed onto a decommissioned MiG-23 aircraft and a military tank displayed on campus. A large contingent blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara stretch of National Highway 44, creating a multi-kilometre traffic jam. Police attempting to clear the blockade were met with stone-pelting; several police vehicles were damaged and two were set on fire, leaving officers injured.
Background & Context
The rumors surfaced three days after the alleged incident, which students said occurred on September 24, 2026 in Girls’ Hostel-3 (room 504). Similar unrest had erupted a day earlier at Chitkara University in Patiala over unrelated claims of missing students, highlighting how unverified online posts can trigger campus upheaval. LPU officials described the allegations as “false, baseless and fabricated” and blamed “anti-social elements” for spreading misinformation.
Timeline
- September 24 – Alleged rape in Girls’ Hostel-3 (room 504).
- September 27 (early hours) – Protest begins; students block NH-44 and damage campus property.
- September 27 (evening) – Police lathi-charge; vehicles set ablaze; injuries reported.
- September 27 (later) – Police register a First Information Report (FIR) against an unknown person; a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is formed.
- September 28 – LPU suspends regular classes for 10 days and postpones mid-term examinations.
- September 28 (noon) – Planned meeting between student leaders and university management.
Data & Statistics
- Over 2,000 police personnel were deployed.
- Approximately 2,000 students participated.
- 4–5 police vehicles were damaged; 2 were set on fire.
Official Statements & Responses
LPU registrar Dr Monica Gulati urged reliance on official communications, calling the rumours “false, baseless and fabricated.” Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu pledged full cooperation with investigators, asserting the university had “nothing to hide.”
Deputy Inspector General Naveen Singla said the FIR would be investigated scientifically, using forensic, CCTV and call-record analysis, and that student representatives would be involved. Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora described the allegations as unverified and noted no prior complaint had been received.
Criticism & Opposition
Students featured in a university-released video later claimed they were instructed on what to say and that their consent was not obtained. They reported harassment from police visits to their hostel room and expressed distress over being used in the university’s “clarification” effort.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Later FIR registration: DIG Singla later confirmed that an FIR had been filed based on student statements, contradicting the earlier denial.
The investigation’s scope, the identity of any alleged perpetrator, and the status of the alleged suicide remain unverified.
What’s Next
The SIT, led by Superintendent of Police (Phagwara) Major Singh, will examine forensic samples, CCTV footage and phone records. A meeting scheduled for noon on September 28 aims to address student demands, including the request for all-female hostel staff. The university has pledged to keep the campus “safe and secure” while the investigation proceeds.