Full Breakdown
Violent Unrest at Lovely Professional University After an Unverified Rape Allegation
By Drooid · · How we work
The Triggering Allegation and Campus Violence
In the early hours of 27 September 2026, rumors spread that a female student had been raped in or near Girls’ Hostel 3 at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab. The claim, circulated on WhatsApp, sparked a protest that turned violent. Students blocked National Highway 44, set vehicles on fire, and clashed with police. Police vehicles were damaged, officers injured, and parts of the campus vandalised. By the following evening the highway reopened and the campus was heavily policed, but the unrest forced the university to suspend regular classes for 10 days and postpone mid-term examinations.
Background and Context
Founded in 2005 by the Mittal family, LPU occupies a 600-acre campus that houses thousands of students. University officials said internal grievance channels were the proper avenue for reporting such incidents, but the rapid spread of the allegation on social media pre-empted any formal verification. Similar rumours had earlier ignited unrest at nearby Chitkara University, prompting police warnings against circulating unverified information.
Timeline of Key Developments
- 23 September 2026 – Some students claim the alleged assault occurred on this date and allege the university failed to act.
- Early 27 September 2026 – Word of the alleged rape spreads; students gather near Girls’ Hostel 3 and begin blocking Highway 44.
- Later 27 September 2026 – Police register a First Information Report (FIR) against an “unidentified person” and form a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT).
- 28 September 2026 – LPU announces a 10-day suspension of regular classes and postponement of mid-terms; students are advised to return home with parental consent.
- Following days – Police examine CCTV footage, forensic material and phone records; student representatives are invited to join the investigation.
Official Statements & Responses
- Monica Gulati, LPU registrar, called the allegation “false, baseless and fabricated,” accusing “anti-social elements” of spreading misinformation.
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed authorities to take strict action against those responsible for the violence.
On-the-Ground Reports
Students described a night of fear, with some confined to rooms “with knives and scissors” while doors were knocked. Arya said police later arrived and made them feel safer, but many still wanted to leave campus. Pawan said the campus “became a complete battlefield,” and Aniket Singh reported outsiders entering a women’s hostel claiming to be police officers.
Criticism & Opposition
Former Shiromani Akali Dal minister Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that the unrest was linked to LPU founder Ashok Mittal’s recent shift from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party, suggesting a political motive.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- No student has formally identified the alleged victim or perpetrator; police have not confirmed any outsider entry based on CCTV.
- LPU released a video of three women from the hostel denying any assault, but the same students later claimed the video was edited and that they were instructed on what to say.
- Separate rumors connected the alleged rape to the suicide of a Telangana student; police have stated the two incidents are unrelated.
What’s Next
The SIT, headed by Phagwara SP Major Singh, will continue reviewing CCTV footage, forensic evidence and phone records. Student representatives are slated to participate, and the Punjab State Women’s Commission has sought the FIR and details of the probe. The university remains under heavy security while classes stay suspended for the remainder of the 10-day period.
