New Delhi, 27 September 2026

Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab’s Phagwara witnessed overnight unrest after students gathered over allegations of rape involving a female student, bringing campus security and the handling of the alleged incident under scrutiny. The protest intensified through the early hours of Sunday and eventually extended beyond the university gates, while police registered an FIR against an unidentified suspect and announced a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.

The agitation reportedly began near the girls’ hostel before drawing students from other parts of the campus. As the crowd grew, protesters moved towards the main entrance and through several university areas. Property was damaged and some objects were set on fire during the unrest. By around 4 am, students had occupied the Jalandhar–Phagwara National Highway, raising slogans of “We want justice”. The blockade disrupted the busy route from both the Jalandhar and Ludhiana directions and left long queues of vehicles stranded.

Students claimed the alleged assault had occurred around three days earlier and accused the university administration of failing to respond. They also alleged that the female student had been sent home from the hostel and demanded a copy of the FIR before ending their blockade. DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla, who interacted with the protesters, said, “We are verifying the facts. Student leaders and LPU management will have a meeting at noon to resolve the issues being raised by students,” He further said, “The investigation will be conducted scientifically. Forensic and technical aspects will be examined, and student representatives will also be associated with the investigation,” said DIG Singla.

LPU, meanwhile, disputed the information circulating around the alleged incident. Registrar Dr Monica Gulati said, “The University categorically clarifies that there is no truth in the rumours presently being circulated. Students, parents and members of the public are requested not to believe, circulate or amplify such rumours. They should rely upon information communicated through official channels of the University only”. Police have taken possession of the student’s mobile phone for forensic examination and said further action would be determined by the evidence emerging from the investigation.

The protest also widened into a discussion over security and hostel management at the university, with students raising several additional demands, including the deployment of female staff in girls’ hostels. Police said these concerns would be taken up with the university management. With the overnight blockade and campus unrest giving way to a formal probe, attention now turns to the forensic and technical evidence that could establish what happened, alongside discussions over the broader safety concerns raised by students.