Archive · 28 Sep 2026
LPU Suspends Classes After Violent Protests Over Rape Claims
Students at Lovely Professional University protested after hearing that a female student may have been sexually assaulted.
Some students said an outsider, plumber, construction worker or employee was involved, but the exact claim has not been proven.
One report also said the student later died by suicide, while the university denied both allegations.
Police opened a rape case against an unknown person and began checking evidence such as cameras, phone records and forensic samples.
The university said the claims were rumours designed to harm its reputation.
Videos of three hostel residents gave conflicting accounts about what happened.
The protest later became violent, with stones thrown, property damaged, vehicles burned and a highway blocked.
Police deployed more than 2,000 personnel and said order had been restored.
LPU stopped classes for 10 days and postponed exams while the investigation continued.
Students at Lovely Professional University protested allegations that a female hostel resident was sexually assaulted by an outsider or employee, with some reports also linking the case to a later suicide.
Police registered a rape case against an unidentified person and formed a Special Investigation Team to examine forensic evidence, CCTV footage and phone records.
LPU denied knowledge of any rape or suicide and called the allegations false, baseless and fabricated rumours; conflicting videos involving three hostel residents also emerged.
The protest turned violent, with reports of stone-pelting, vandalism, arson, injuries to police, blocked National Highway-44 and at least five youths being apprehended.
LPU suspended regular classes for 10 days from September 28, 2026, postponed mid-term examinations and allowed students to return home after consulting guardians.
- Who
- Students, LPU officials and Punjab Police were involved; the alleged victim and suspect were not publicly identified.
- What
- A protest over an alleged rape, and in one report a related alleged suicide, became violent and led to a police investigation and academic suspension.
- When
- The protest began around Saturday night or early Sunday; violence was reported on Sunday, and classes were suspended from September 28, 2026.
- Where
- Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab, including Girls' Hostel 3 and the nearby Jalandhar-Phagwara section of National Highway-44.
- Why
- Students alleged that a female hostel resident had been sexually assaulted and that university staff failed to act; LPU rejected the allegations.
Student allegations and political criticism
University denials and official investigation
Whether a sexual assault occurred
Student allegations and political criticism
Students alleged that a female hostel resident was raped by an outsider, plumber, construction worker or employee and said the hostel warden or university failed to act.
University denials and official investigation
LPU said it had no knowledge of any rape and described the claims as false, baseless and fabricated; police have not yet established what happened.
Conflicting hostel videos
Student allegations and political criticism
A later social-media video showed three students from the relevant room saying they had been instructed what to say and that their statements were used without consent.
University denials and official investigation
LPU released an earlier video in which the same students said no rape had occurred in their room and asked not to be repeatedly disturbed.
Responsibility for the violence
Student allegations and political criticism
Student protesters said they were demanding justice; opposition politicians blamed the Punjab government's handling of the situation and alleged that political actors enabled or organized unrest.
University denials and official investigation
Police said protesters attacked officers and vehicles, damaged property and set vehicles or objects on fire, prompting a lathi charge and a large security deployment.
- Institution
- Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab
- Police action
- A rape case was registered against an unknown person, and a Special Investigation Team was formed.
- Evidence under review
- Police said they would examine forensic samples, CCTV footage and call or phone records.
- Security
- Punjab Police said more than 2,000 personnel were deployed on campus.
- Highway blockade
- Protesters blocked National Highway-44 for more than 15 hours before traffic resumed.
- Academic disruption
- Regular classes were suspended for 10 days from September 28, 2026, and mid-term examinations were postponed until further notice.
- Arrests or apprehensions
- Police said five youths were apprehended and that a sickle-like weapon and walkie-talkie were recovered.
- Internet service
- Authorities shut down internet service in neighborhoods surrounding the university, according to one report.
Sources
Lovely Professional University suspends classes amid protests against alleged rape on campus
LPU protest turns violent; stones pelted; vehicles set on fire, classes suspended; university releases video
LPU suspend classes, postpones exams as violence escalates over rape claims: What's happening