Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Punjab Police Arrest Two LPU Students After Violent Protests
Punjab Police are investigating violent protests at Lovely Professional University.
The protests began after an unverified online claim about a student allegedly being raped and dying by suicide.
The university says that claim was false and fabricated.
One report says police arrested one student and were looking for another.
Another report says two people, Sahil Singh and Antariksh, were arrested.
Police are also searching for Farhat Dev, who allegedly escaped from a relative’s house in Doda.
The protests included property damage, blocked roads, and vehicles being set on fire.
Police have registered three cases and are examining videos and phone-related data.
Punjab Police arrested LPU student Sahil Singh in Doda and another person, Antariksh, in Jammu’s Pouni Chak area, according to one report.
A separate report described one LPU student being arrested and another Kishtwar student, identified in the second report as Farhat Dev, escaping police raids.
The arrests relate to violence at Lovely Professional University after an unverified claim that a student was raped and later died by suicide.
The protests reportedly involved vandalism, blocked traffic, burned police vehicles, damaged CCTV cameras, and injuries to police and journalists.
Police registered three FIRs naming 20 students and outsiders, while investigating through CCTV footage, social-media videos, facial recognition, and tower-dump data.
- Who
- Punjab Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Lovely Professional University students, and some alleged outsiders.
- What
- Police arrested people and continued a manhunt over violent protests and alleged vandalism at LPU.
- When
- The violence occurred around September 26-28, and the arrests and raids were reported on Thursday and Friday.
- Where
- The violence occurred at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab; arrests and raids took place in Doda, Kishtwar, and Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- Police are investigating three FIRs filed after the protests, which allegedly involved vandalism, arson, road blockades, and attacks on police vehicles.
Police and University Account
Student and Protester Claims
Campus allegation
Police and University Account
LPU said the rape allegation was false and fabricated and was intended to create unrest and damage the university’s image.
Student and Protester Claims
The protests began after an online claim alleged that a student was raped inside a hostel and later died by suicide; the articles do not establish whether the claim was true.
Responsibility for violence
Police and University Account
Police are investigating students and outsiders allegedly involved in vandalism, arson, stone pelting, and damage to public and university property.
Student and Protester Claims
Farhat Dev reportedly denied responsibility on social media, saying circulated videos did not provide the full context.
Scale of the protest
Police and University Account
Police and university accounts describe a violent escalation involving blocked highways, damaged property, burned vehicles, and injuries.
Student and Protester Claims
The unrest reportedly began with students gathering for a peaceful protest demanding answers before escalating; the articles provide no separate account from other protesters.
- Reported arrests
- One report said one LPU student was arrested; another reported arrests of Sahil Singh and Antariksh.
- Missing suspect
- Farhat Dev, described as an LPU student from Kishtwar, allegedly escaped before police reached a relative’s house in Doda.
- Cases
- Punjab Police registered three FIRs naming 20 students and outsiders.
- Protest allegations
- Students and outsiders allegedly vandalised property, blocked NH-44, damaged shops and CCTV cameras, and set two police vehicles on fire.
- Origin of unrest
- The protests followed an unverified online claim that a student was raped on campus and later died by suicide.
- University response
- LPU called the allegation false and fabricated, and suspended classes for 10 days while postponing mid-term examinations.
- Investigation
- Police formed a seven-member special team and are examining CCTV, social-media videos, facial-recognition results, tower-dump data, and IP addresses.
