Full Breakdown
Violence at Lovely Professional University: arrests, investigations and claims of a wider conspiracy
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On the morning of September 27 2026, a rumor that a female student had been raped and then committed suicide spread on Reddit and WhatsApp, triggering protests at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab. Demonstrations turned violent, with vandalism, arson and a blockade of National Highway-44 that lasted more than 15 hours. Property damage included smashed windows, burning vehicles and students climbing onto a decommissioned MiG-23 aircraft and a military tank on campus. Classes were suspended and mid-term examinations postponed.
Triggering Rumor and Context
University officials later described the claim as “false, baseless and fabricated.” A similar incident at Chitkara University a day earlier led LPU founder-chancellor Ashok Mittal to link the two events to a coordinated online campaign.
Law-Enforcement Action
Punjab police arrested five men—three identified as LPU students (including influencer James Dahiya) and two non-students (including a Domino’s delivery worker, Gagan). All were produced before a Judicial Magistrate First Class and remanded for three days. CCTV footage and digital evidence helped identify 40 persons, of whom 20 have been named in four FIRs filed between September 27-28 covering vandalism, looting, arson and damage to public property.
University and Political Response
Mittal framed the unrest as a “conspiracy” targeting LPU, Punjab’s economy and national security, alleging “outsiders” and “anti-social elements” were behind the violence.
Student and Witness Accounts
Students said many protesters wore masks, making it hard to tell students from outsiders. Video showed protesters atop the MiG-23 and tank, which police called an insult to the armed forces.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Inquiry
The Punjab and Haryana High Court scheduled a status hearing for October 8 to review a detailed report on the violence, the alleged sexual-assault claim and the role of social-media misinformation. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to examine the FIRs and identify those involved.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Alleged rape: The university denies any assault; police have not identified a victim or found supporting CCTV evidence.
- Student video: LPU released a video of three hostel residents stating no incident occurred, but the students later claimed the video was edited without consent.
- Social-media claims: Authorities label the posts as fabricated, yet the rumor was widely believed by students, fueling the unrest.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Absolutely, there is some conspiracy behind it.” — Rajya Sabha MP
- “Why did it happen in the border state, and who did it? I have a concern for national security, who was behind it and who let it happen,” — Ashok Mittal, LPU founder
- “Things are completely under control now. Some students have left. Physical Classes are suspended, but online classes are on,” — Ashok Mittal
What’s Next
The October 8 hearing will shape the Punjab government’s response to the SIT’s findings. Police will continue reviewing CCTV and digital traces for further arrests, and the university has said disciplinary action will be taken against any students found responsible.