1 hr ago
Punjab Police Probe LPU Rape Allegation With No Leads
Students at Lovely Professional University protested after hearing that a rape may have happened in a girls’ hostel.
Police registered a formal case so they could investigate the allegation.
So far, police say they have not found the alleged victim or anyone who may have committed the crime.
Students suggested several hostel rooms, but police did not find anything suspicious in the first room checked.
Police are reviewing security-camera footage for clues.
The protests later became violent, and at least three police officers were injured.
Police said some students were also seen being beaten in videos.
A special team will continue investigating the allegation and a separate report about a student’s alleged suicide.
Punjab Police registered an FIR over an alleged rape at Lovely Professional University’s Girls Hostel 3.
Investigators have not identified an alleged victim or found a possible accused.
Students gave several possible hostel room numbers, but police found nothing suspicious in the first room checked.
Protests over alleged administrative inaction became violent, leaving at least three police personnel injured.
Police are examining surveillance footage and have formed a special investigation team involving student representatives.
- Who
- Punjab Police, Lovely Professional University students, university authorities, and an unidentified alleged victim and accused.
- What
- An FIR was registered over an alleged rape, while protests over the university’s alleged inaction became violent.
- Where
- The allegation concerned Girls Hostel 3 at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara; protests also occurred near the university and affected the Delhi–Amritsar national highway.
- When
- The alleged offence was said in the FIR to have occurred three or four days before the protests, which took place over Saturday and Sunday.
- Why
- Students protested because they alleged that the university administration had failed to act on the reported offence.
Student Allegations
Police and University Response
Alleged administrative inaction
Student Allegations
Students alleged that the Lovely Professional University administration failed to act after a rape was reportedly communicated.
Police and University Response
Police registered an FIR and said they were conducting a thorough investigation, but had not yet found evidence identifying a victim or accused.
Handling of protests
Student Allegations
Students alleged police used force during the crackdown; videos reportedly showed several students, including girls, being beaten.
Police and University Response
Police said protesters threw water bottles and stones, injuring at least three officers, and that the situation was brought under control.
Possible crime scene
Student Allegations
Students identified several hostel rooms as possible locations of the alleged offence.
Police and University Response
Police said nothing suspicious was found in the first room identified and that residents of other rooms objected to inquiries on privacy grounds.
Key facts
- Institution
- Lovely Professional University (LPU)
- Reported location
- Girls Hostel 3, with room 504 initially identified and rooms 142 and 147 among other possible locations later mentioned
- Police action
- An FIR was registered at Satnampura police station under Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023
- Investigation status
- Police had not identified the alleged victim or a possible accused and had found no substantive lead
- Evidence review
- Police accessed surveillance footage from the hostel and surrounding areas
- Protest injuries
- Police officials said at least three personnel were injured
- Investigation team
- A special team led by the Phagwara Superintendent of Police was formed, with student-union representatives included
Quotes
Senior police officer
Punjab Police officer speaking anonymously about the investigation
“Not one student among the hundreds who are protesting has given a statement providing any clue about the identity of the victim, who could then be traced and statement recorded to take the investigation forward.”
theprint.in
Praveen Kumar Sinha
Special Director General of Police for Law and Order
“The situation is back in control, and efforts are underway to open the national highway connecting Delhi and Amritsar.”
theprint.in
Sources
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