1 hr ago
LPU Suspends Classes After Violent Protest Over Rape Allegation
Students at Lovely Professional University protested after hearing an allegation that a female student had been raped.
They said the alleged attacker was an outsider working as a plumber and that the university had not acted.
The university said it had no information about such an incident and called the claims rumours.
Police registered a case against an unknown person so they could investigate.
They said they would examine forensic evidence, cameras and phone records.
Some students later damaged property, blocked a highway and threw stones at police.
Police used a lathi charge and deployed a large force to restore order.
The university stopped classes for 10 days and postponed exams.
The investigation has not yet established what happened.
Students at Lovely Professional University protested an alleged rape involving a female hostel resident and an outsider described as a plumber.
Police registered a rape case against an unknown person and formed a Special Investigation Team to examine forensic evidence, CCTV footage and phone records.
The university denied knowledge of a campus rape and called the allegations false, baseless and fabricated rumours.
The protest became violent, with reports of vandalism, stone-pelting, injuries to police personnel, highway disruption and vehicles being set on fire.
LPU suspended regular classes for 10 days from September 28, 2026, and postponed mid-term examinations until further notice.
- Who
- Students of Lovely Professional University, university officials and Punjab Police were involved; the alleged victim and suspect were not publicly identified.
- What
- A student protest over an alleged rape became violent, prompting a police investigation and the suspension of classes.
- Where
- Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab, including Girls' Hostel 3 and the nearby Jalandhar-Phagwara stretch of National Highway-44.
- When
- The protest began around Saturday night or early Sunday, with violence reported on Sunday; classes were suspended from September 28, 2026.
- Why
- Students alleged that a female hostel resident had been raped and that the administration had not taken action; the university disputed the allegation.
Student allegations and protest claims
University denials and police investigation
Whether a rape occurred
Student allegations and protest claims
Protesting students alleged that a female hostel resident was raped by an outsider working as a plumber and said the administration failed to act.
University denials and police investigation
The university said it had no knowledge of such an incident and described the allegation as false, baseless and fabricated; police said the matter remained under investigation.
Hostel video statements
Student allegations and protest claims
A later social-media video showed the same three students saying they had been instructed what to say and that their statements were used without consent.
University denials and police investigation
The university released an earlier video in which three students from room 504 said no rape had occurred there and appealed not to be repeatedly disturbed.
Handling of the protest
Student allegations and protest claims
Students said they were seeking justice and reportedly damaged property, blocked the highway and clashed with police during the agitation.
University denials and police investigation
Police said protesters attacked officers and vehicles, while authorities used a lathi charge and deployed a large force to restore order and protect students.
Key facts
- University
- Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab
- Police case
- A rape case was registered against an unknown person based on statements recorded from students.
- Investigation
- A Special Investigation Team will examine forensic samples, CCTV footage and call or phone records.
- Classes
- Regular classes were suspended for 10 days beginning September 28, 2026.
- Examinations
- Mid-term examinations were postponed until further notice.
- Security deployment
- Police said more than 2,000 personnel were deployed on campus.
- Highway disruption
- The National Highway-44 blockade lasted more than 15 hours before traffic resumed.
Quotes
Lovely Professional University
University administration issuing an academic suspension notice
“Certain anti-social elements are spreading completely false, baseless and fabricated rumours through social media and other channels, thereby creating unnecessary confusion among students and attempting to disturb the peaceful academic environment of the university.”
scroll.in
“To the families whose daughters are staying in the hostel here: please do not worry; everyone is safe... The atmosphere here is completely calm, and the university students are also cooperating with us in restoring peace...”
livemint.com
Sources
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