Lovely Professional University protest turns violent: Protesters clash with police, stones pelted over 'rape' case

Police said a rape case has been registered against an unknown person on a complaint by the students, and an SIT has been formed to investigate the matter.

The demonstration at Lovely Professional University (LPU) over an alleged rape case inside the campus turned violent on Sunday evening. Protesters reportedly clashed with police officials and hurled stones, while vehicles were also set on fire. Police resorted to a lathi charge at around 8 pm, news agency ANI reported.

A group of students also blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway, causing a massive traffic jam in the afternoon. The private university has dismissed the allegations, calling them rumours, while police said a special investigation team would be formed to probe the matter.

Here are key developments from the protest:

1. According to a PTI report, the protest initially started near the girls' hostel at around 1 am, with demonstrators alleging that a female student had been raped by a plumber three days earlier. They also alleged that the matter was reported to the hostel warden, but no action was taken. Instead, the girl, who had been staying at the GH-3 hostel, was sent home.

2. DIG (Jalandhar Range) Naveen Singla, said an FIR had been registered based on the students' statement. "The matter will be investigated, and there will be a forensic analysis, CCTV analysis, and phone analysis. Investigation will be conducted along with the student leaders," he said.

3. "We want justice," purported videos that have emerged on social media show a sea of people shouting slogans, damaging vehicles and earthen flower pots, and setting some objects on fire. Some protesters also stormed the university malls and damaged ATM machines.

4. The management of Lovely Professional University (LPU) has maintained in a statement that there was no truth in the "rumours", with Registrar Monica Gulati saying some anti-social elements were spreading "false", "baseless" and "fabricated" allegations.

5. In the statement, LPU authorities said it appeared to be a deliberate and concerted attempt to malign the reputation of the university and tarnish its image. Students, parents, and members of the public were requested not to believe, circulate, or amplify such rumours and to rely upon information communicated through official channels of the university, it said.

About the Author

Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.

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