‘Rape-suicide’ allegations spark protest, arson in Punjab varsity; FIR lodged
Around 2,000 LPU students protested after rumours about a female student spread online. An SIT has been formed to ascertain what took place
A protest by students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) over unverified claims regarding the rape and death by suicide of a female student turned violent in the early hours on Sunday (September 27), with students damaging university property and blocking the Chandigarh-Amritsar National Highway.
The protest began after claims about an alleged rape and suicide circulated on social media. Around 2,000 students reportedly gathered near the girls’ hostel as the rumours spread across the Phagwara campus. Police were subsequently deployed in large numbers after the situation escalated.
LPU protest turns violent
Police officials have since registered an FIR and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ascertain what happened. The inquiry will include CCTV footage, forensic material and phone-related evidence, while student representatives will also be involved in the process.
Speaking to reporters, Naveen Singla, DIG Jalandhar Range, said the students had raised several issues during their protest, including concerns relating to the hostel.
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“Students have certain demands. A meeting is currently underway with the university representatives present inside. There are demands regarding the hostel as well as general issues; these are being discussed. We have registered an FIR and constituted an SIT. We will conduct the investigation, including a scientific one, alongside their representatives, and if a culprit is identified, we will certainly apprehend,” the DIG said.
Police probe alleged rape claims
“Our team is examining the CCTV footage, and if any leads emerge, we will certainly take action...The students stated that there was a girl in Room 504. We will investigate who that girl was or what actually transpired. This will be determined through CCTV footage and technical/scientific evidence,” he added, as quoted by ANI.
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The report further stated that the police have not confirmed that a student was raped inside the university campus. Officials said the facts of the alleged incident are still being established, and the identity of any accused person remains unknown. The FIR has been registered against multiple unidentified persons at this stage.
Earlier, police had reportedly said they had found no evidence linking the alleged suicide to a rape and that no complaint had been received in connection with those claims.
FIR lodged
DIG Singla said the students began their protest at around 2 am after information about the alleged rape spread on social media.
“We mobilised forces here, including myself and all the SSPs from our range. Upon arriving, we learned that their primary grievance was regarding the alleged rape of a female student three days ago (September 24),” DIG Singla said.
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According to the police, the woman was staying at the university hostel and had subsequently returned home. The police have now received her statement in connection with the alleged incident and registered a case.
“We will conduct a technical investigation of the FIR, including forensic, CCTV, and phone analyses. Furthermore, the investigation will be carried out in consultation with the student representatives,” the DIG said.
“We have now received the information and her statement, and a case has been registered,” he added.
What LPU VC said
LPU Vice Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh Sandhu said the university would cooperate with the police inquiry and provide the required assistance.
“The police registered an FIR based on the students' allegations. All necessary support will be provided. Five students have been included in the SIT that will conduct the investigation,” he added.
“The students have some other demands as well; for instance, the female students have requested that the entire staff in the female hostels be female. So, there are some such specific demands, and we will ensure they are met by sitting down with the management,” the DIG said.