LPU Unrest: Alleged Hostel Assault Under SIT Probe, Classes Suspended for 10 Days
THE COMMONS VOICE · PHAGWARA, PUNJAB · SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
Lovely Professional University has suspended classes for 10 days after student protests over an alleged sexual assault of a hostel resident turned violent. Police have registered a case and formed a Special Investigation Team.
At A Glance
| Allegation | Sexual assault of a hostel resident; denied by the university |
| Police action | Case registered; SIT probing CCTV, forensics, phone data |
| Campus | Classes suspended 10 days from Sept 28; mid-terms postponed |
| Protest | Highway blocked; property damaged; police vehicles torched |
What Happened
Late Saturday night into early Sunday, September 27, students gathered near the girls' hostel after a message spread alleging that a hostel resident had been raped on campus. Police say the crowd assembled around 1:45 am. One report puts it at about 2,000 students. They damaged windows and property and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway. Fresh violence broke out Sunday evening, with stones thrown at police and 4-5 police vehicles damaged, two of them set on fire. Police used a lathi charge and brought in extra forces.
Where The Investigation Stands
Police registered a case against an unknown person on the students' complaint. DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla said an SIT will examine CCTV footage, forensic evidence and phone data. Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora said no complaint had come from a victim or her family, and that police were listening to students' grievances about the university administration. LPU denied the allegation, called the reports false, and blamed "anti-social elements" for spreading them. It suspended classes from September 28 and postponed mid-term exams. Students also raised separate demands about hostel arrangements, including all-women hostel staff.
A Related Report
One outlet, citing police, reports that a woman died by suicide four to five days earlier near the campus. The SSP said there is no evidence linking that death to the alleged assault. We could not confirm the death with a second source. An LPU official also said the protest was triggered by a rumour about a student's suicide.
Latest Development
The investigation is ongoing. The Commons Voice will update this article as the SIT reports or as police and the university issue further statements.
This story mentions a suicide, a sensitive topic. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a trusted person or a mental health helpline.
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