LPU Students Protest Over Rape, Highway Blocked For 15 Hours: Rumour or Fact?

Protests at Lovely Professional University turned violent after unverified claims of a rape inside a girls’ hostel spread among students.

Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, began a major protest on 27 September 2026 after claims spread that a female student had allegedly been raped inside Girls Hostel 3 (GH-3).

According to the claims shared by students, an outsider working on campus as a plumber or construction worker entered a girl’s room and allegedly raped her. Students also claimed that she informed university staff but was sent home instead of receiving help.

Another claim later spread that the student had died by suicide. Police and LPU have not confirmed this claim. The alleged rape itself also remains under investigation. LPU has denied that the incident took place and called the reports false and fabricated.

The Protest Turns Violent

The protest began near the girls’ hostel and later grew as students from other hostels joined. By early morning, students had moved towards the main entrance and later blocked NH-44 between Jalandhar and Phagwara.

The protest became violent, with reports of damaged windows, furniture, motorcycles, shops and vehicles. Police also reported stone-pelting. Some students climbed onto a MiG-23UM aircraft and a military tank displayed on the campus. The highway blockade caused long traffic jams. Police were deployed on the campus and the situation was brought under control later in the morning.

Police Investigation

Police initially said they had not received a complaint about rape. Later, after meeting protesting students, police registered an FIR under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with rape, against an unidentified person.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was also formed to investigate the allegation. The team is examining CCTV footage, forensic evidence, phone data and other material.

What Happened in Room 502?

Three girls were staying in Room 502, the room identified in the allegations. They initially told police that no rape had taken place there and said their room had been randomly identified. LPU later released a video in which the three girls repeated this account.

However, the girls later claimed that they had been instructed about what to say in the video and had been given a script. This has created two different accounts, which are now part of the investigation.

Students’ Demands

Students raised several demands, including better security in girls’ hostels, restrictions on male staff entering areas where female students live, and the resignation of the hostel warden. They also wanted LPU Founder and Chancellor Ashok Mittal to meet them and demanded an apology from the Pro-Vice Chancellor. Students also asked that protesters should not be punished or targeted.

LPU’s Response

LPU has denied that the alleged rape took place and described the claims as false, baseless and fabricated. The university has said it is cooperating with the police investigation.

Another Student’s Death

Police are also investigating the death of another female LPU student from Telangana, who died by suicide around 15 days before the protest. Her phone has been sent for forensic examination. Police have not confirmed any connection between her death and the rape allegation.

Classes Suspended

LPU suspended regular classes for 10 days from 28 September and postponed mid-term examinations. Students were allowed to return to their hometowns during this period. Students staying on campus were advised to remain in their hostels or residences and avoid unnecessary movement.

The investigation into the rape allegation, the conflicting accounts surrounding Room 502 and the other concerns raised by students is ongoing.

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