LPU Campus Unrest Leads to Arrests and Ongoing Investigation

On September 27 2024, students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara staged a protest that escalated into arson, robbery and a 12-hour blockage of National Highway 44. Video showed a juvenile perched atop a MiG-23 aircraft on campus, becoming the visual symbol of the unrest. Police said the mob set fire to university property, damaged police vehicles and assaulted officers.

Hindustan Times

The violence was triggered by an unverified Reddit post alleging a student rape on September 26. The claim spread through WhatsApp groups, prompting about 2,000 students to gather outside a girls’ hostel.

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• Sept 25-26 – Two arrests linked to unrest at Chitkara University.

Juvenile who climbed MiG-23 among 9 held in LPU arson case; 2 nabbed for Rajpura university unrest

• Sept 26 – Reddit post alleges a campus rape; High Court asks Punjab government to confirm.

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• Sept 27 – Protest at LPU turns violent; highway blocked; arson and assaults reported.

LPU rampage: 9 arrested, including juvenile who climbed atop MiG-23

• Sept 28 – FIRs filed in Kapurthala and Phagwara; DIG Naveen Singla cites up to 20 persons named in FIR No. 163.

LPU rampage: 9 arrested, including juvenile who climbed atop MiG-23

• Police have identified 40 persons connected to the LPU incidents, including influencer Farhat Dev (21,000 Instagram followers).

Juvenile who climbed MiG-23 among 9 held in LPU arson case; 2 nabbed for Rajpura university unrest

• Arrest numbers differ: nine individuals were named in several outlets, while another source reported five arrests produced in court.

LPU rampage: 9 arrested, including juvenile who climbed atop MiG-23

• The Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprises eight officers, led by Superintendent of Police Major Singh.

Hindustan Times

The DIG said multiple teams are scanning digital evidence from social media, news channels and campus CCTV, and that some accused initially posed as peaceful protesters before engaging in arson.

LPU rampage: 9 arrested, including juvenile who climbed atop MiG-23

• “We know that Punjab is a border state and shares a border with Pakistan. Pakistan continues to disrupt peace within our nation in some way or another,” — Ashok Mittal, LPU founder

Lovely Professional University Founder Sees 'Conspiracy' In Arson, Hints At Pakistan

• “Investigation is on and we are verifying every single detail to carry out probe in a professional manner.” — Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora

Hindustan Times

• “As many as 20 persons had been named in FIR No. 163, registered at the Satnampura police station in Kapurthala. All arrests have been made as per the same FIR, registered under Sections 326(g), 324(4) and 309(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 4 of the Punjab Prevention of Damage to Public and Private Property Act, 2014, on September 28.” — Range DIG Naveen Singla

LPU rampage: 9 arrested, including juvenile who climbed atop MiG-23

• Arrest figures: Tribune cites nine arrests; NDTV mentions five individuals produced in court. Both agree additional suspects remain at large.

LPU rampage: 9 arrested, including juvenile who climbed atop MiG-23

• Rape allegation: The High Court has asked the Punjab government to verify the Reddit-based claim; no victim has been identified.

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• Influencer role: Farhat Dev is a suspect but has not been arrested; his exact role in inciting the unrest is still under investigation.

Juvenile who climbed MiG-23 among 9 held in LPU arson case; 2 nabbed for Rajpura university unrest

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has scheduled a hearing next week to review the government’s response on the alleged rape. The SIT continues to examine digital footprints and CCTV footage, with police indicating more leads are expected as the probe progresses.

Hindustan Times