Students at Lovely Professional University protest, block highway after unverified rape claim
Students of Lovely Professional University in Phagwara staged a large protest on the campus and blocked a national highway early on Sunday, September 27, 2026, following unverified social media reports alleging the rape of a female student. Videos circulating on social media showed students damaging window panes, flower pots and putting some objects on fire.
Police said the gathering began around 2 a.m. and was prompted by claims that a female student from the G3 hostel had been raped three days earlier. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kapurthula, Gaurav Toora, told reporters that police had no information about any such crime.
Naveen Singla, DIG, Jalandhar Range, said police had begun the process of registering an FIR against an unknown person based on the allegations raised by the protesters. He said the probe would include forensic analysis, examination of CCTV footage and phone data, and that a Special Investigation Team would be formed to investigate the allegations.
SSP Gaurav Toora said police received information that students gathered at the LPU campus at 1:45 a.m. and blocked a road. "When we reached here, we came to know that there were rumours. Because of the rumours, students gathered here," he said.
Toora described talks between police and students about campus concerns: "We spoke to students who had some issues with the LPU administration. We heard them and are trying to get them resolved. The situation is completely under control," the SSP said.
Videos showed students damaging window panes, flower pots and putting some objects on fire, and police reported the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway was blocked during the unrest. A heavy police force has been deployed at the university, and authorities are conducting an assessment of the property damage.
"An assessment of the property damage is being done and necessary legal action will be taken," Mr. Toora said, and police added that students have stated their issues are not redressed properly. The incident followed a protest a day earlier at Chitkara University in Patiala, where students had damaged a police vehicle over unverified claims that two female students were found dead on the campus.
Police say they will proceed with the FIR registration and constitute a Special Investigation Team to examine forensic evidence, CCTV footage and phone data as part of the investigation; assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416. and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.