Archive · 28 Sep 2026
LPU Students Challenge Video Amid Unverified Assault Rumours
Students at Lovely Professional University protested after unverified rumours spread about a female student being sexually assaulted and later dying by suicide.
The rumours named Room 504 in Girls’ Hostel 3.
The university released a video in which three students from that room said nothing had happened there.
Later, the same students said university officials had told them what to say.
They also said parts of the video were trimmed and posted without their permission.
The reports could not independently verify the later video or its claims.
Some protests became violent, with damage, fires and a blocked highway.
Police gave differing accounts about whether a crime had been reported and whether a case had been registered.
LPU said the rumours were false, suspended classes for 10 days and postponed midterm examinations.
Three students from Room 504 appeared in an LPU video denying that an incident occurred there.
The same students later alleged they were instructed what to say and that edited footage was posted without consent.
Protests followed unverified claims that a female student was sexually assaulted and later died by suicide.
Unrest included campus vandalism, fires and a blockade of the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway.
Police statements differed, while LPU called the rumours false and suspended classes for 10 days.
- Who
- Three LPU students, Lovely Professional University officials including Registrar Dr Monika Gulati, protesting students, and police officials Naveen Singla and Gaurav Toora.
- What
- A dispute over an administration clarification video intensified amid protests linked to unverified sexual-assault and suicide rumours.
- When
- The developments were reported on September 28, 2026; the alleged assault was said to have occurred about three days earlier.
- Where
- Lovely Professional University in Punjab, including Girls’ Hostel 3 and the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway.
- Why
- Students protested over unverified claims about a female student, while LPU said the rumours were false and misleading.
University and Official Account
Student Allegations and Protest Concerns
Whether an assault occurred
University and Official Account
LPU said the rumours were false and misleading. Gaurav Toora said no such crime had initially been reported to police, although Naveen Singla said a case was registered based on a student’s statement.
Student Allegations and Protest Concerns
Students protested claims that a female student had been sexually assaulted and later died by suicide. The reports did not independently verify those claims.
The clarification video
University and Official Account
LPU presented three residents of Room 504 denying that an incident had occurred there, and Registrar Dr Monika Gulati described the unrest as a conspiracy involving false rumours.
Student Allegations and Protest Concerns
The same students later said the administration instructed them what to say, trimmed part of the video and posted it without their knowledge or consent.
Responsibility for the unrest
University and Official Account
LPU urged students to remain inside and avoid provocative or disruptive activities. Police said property damage would be assessed and legal action would follow.
Student Allegations and Protest Concerns
Some protesting students alleged that those responsible for the vandalism and unrest were not enrolled at the university and demanded justice over the reported claims.
- University
- Lovely Professional University (LPU), Punjab
- Room named in claims
- Room 504, Girls’ Hostel 3
- Students’ later allegation
- The three students said they were instructed what to say and that parts of their video were used without consent.
- Reported unrest
- Protesters damaged window panes and flower pots, set fire to objects and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway.
- Police accounts
- Naveen Singla said a case was registered based on a student’s statement; Gaurav Toora said police had initially received no report of such a crime.
- University response
- LPU called the social-media rumours false and misleading, urged students to avoid unrest and said they were safe on campus.
- Academic measures
- Classes were suspended for 10 days and midterm examinations were postponed until further notice.
