Phagwara, Punjab: Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara staged a major protest on September 27 after claims circulated about an alleged sexual assault involving a female student on the university campus. The protest later escalated into clashes, vandalism, arson, and a prolonged blockade of National Highway-44. Lulu News is following the latest developments surrounding the LPU student protest and ongoing investigation.
The university has denied the sexual-assault allegation and described the claims as false and fabricated. Punjab Police, however, registered a rape case against an unidentified person based on a complaint and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to establish what actually happened.
When Did the LPU Protest Start?
According to reports covered by Lulu News, the protest began at around 1–2 AM on September 27 near Girls’ Hostel-3.
Students alleged that an outsider working as a plumber had entered a girl’s room and sexually assaulted her several days earlier. They also alleged that the hostel warden had been informed but that adequate action was not taken.
These claims spread rapidly through student and social-media groups, triggering gatherings near the hostel and eventually at the university’s main entrance. The allegations themselves remain under investigation.
Why Were LPU Students Protesting?
The immediate reason for the protest was the students’ demand for clarification and action over the alleged sexual-assault incident.
Students demanded that the university and police investigate the matter, establish the facts, and ensure accountability if anyone was found responsible.
As reported by Lulu News, among the concerns raised by students were stronger security in girls’ hostels, greater accountability of hostel officials, restrictions on male staff working in residential areas for female students, and action if negligence by university officials was established.
Some protesters also demanded the resignation of the hostel warden and asked LPU Founder-Chancellor Ashok Mittal to personally address their concerns.
How Did the Protest Turn Violent?
The demonstration escalated during the morning and afternoon of September 27.
At around 4 AM, protesters reportedly moved onto the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway-44 outside the university. The blockade caused significant traffic disruption, with vehicles stranded on the highway.
Police later attempted to clear the road. Officials said protesters pelted stones and targeted police vehicles, after which police used a lathi charge.
The unrest subsequently spread inside the campus. Reports described damage to university property, shops and vehicles, while some vehicles and other objects were set on fire. Several police personnel were also reported injured.
What Were the Students Demanding?
Apart from an investigation into the alleged sexual-assault claim, students reportedly raised several campus-security and accountability demands.
Their reported demands included:
- A transparent investigation into the alleged incident.
- Stronger security in girls’ hostels.
- Greater accountability of hostel officials.
- Action against officials if negligence is established.
- More female staff in areas where female students reside.
- No victimisation of students for participating in the protest.
- Continued access to the University’s Management System.
- A response from LPU Founder-Chancellor Ashok Mittal.
- Action against anyone found responsible after the investigation.
Several rounds of talks between students and university management reportedly took place but did not immediately resolve the protesters’ concerns.
What Did the Police Say?
Punjab Police registered an FIR against an unidentified person under rape-related provisions after receiving a complaint.
A seven-member SIT was formed to investigate the allegation. The investigation includes forensic evidence, CCTV footage and phone or call-related data. Student representatives have also been included in the investigation process.
Police officials said preliminary checks at the location cited by protesters did not substantiate the allegation at that stage. Officers also said that the students who were present in the room where the alleged incident was said to have occurred denied that such an incident had taken place.
The investigation is therefore continuing, and the FIR itself should not be treated as proof that the allegation has been established.
What Has LPU Said About the Allegations?
LPU has strongly denied the allegation.
The university described the claims as false, baseless and fabricated rumours and said the administration had not received a confirmed complaint about such an incident.
Lulu News also reported on the university’s response, including a video featuring three female students identified as residents of the room where the alleged assault was said to have occurred. In the video, the students denied that such an incident had happened in their room.
LPU said it was cooperating with the police investigation and would provide CCTV footage and other information requested by investigators.
What About the Earlier Death of Another LPU Student?
Another issue has also entered the investigation.
Police said a female student from Telangana studying at LPU had died by suicide around 15 days before the September 27 protest. Police are examining that death separately.
According to officials, the student’s mobile phone was seized and sent for forensic examination. Police said that if the investigation reveals evidence of foul play, appropriate legal action would be taken.
At present, there is no established evidence connecting that earlier death to the sexual-assault allegation that triggered the latest protest.
What Happened on NH-44?
The highway blockade became one of the biggest consequences of the protest.
Students blocked the Jalandhar–Phagwara section of NH-44, a major route connecting the region. The blockade continued for more than 15 hours, causing long queues and leaving motorists stranded.
Police eventually restored traffic during the intervening night of September 27 and 28. By Monday morning, authorities said the highway was functioning normally and the overall situation was under control.
More Than 2,000 Police Personnel Deployed
Following the escalation, a heavy police presence was deployed around the LPU campus.
Officials said more than 2,000 police personnel were deployed overnight to maintain law and order. Senior police officers also conducted a flag march inside the campus and surrounding areas.
Police maintained security at the university gates as students began leaving the campus after classes were suspended.
LPU Suspends Classes for 10 Days
Following the violence, LPU announced the suspension of regular classes for 10 days starting September 28.
The university also postponed mid-term examinations until further notice.
Students were advised to return home after consulting their parents or guardians. Those remaining on campus were told to stay inside their hostels or residences, avoid unnecessary movement and stay away from the unrest.
Punjab Government Orders Action
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed DGP Gaurav Yadav to visit the university and assess the situation.
The government said action should be taken against those found responsible for the violence. Police continued to maintain a strong presence around the campus while the investigation proceeded.
Political Controversy Around the LPU Protest
The LPU unrest has also triggered a political dispute in Punjab.
BJP leader and former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu accused the AAP government of orchestrating or allowing the unrest to escalate and alleged that the situation was connected to the upcoming September 30 Amit Shah rally in Jalandhar.
These are political allegations and have not been established as facts. They should therefore be distinguished from the police investigation into the student protest itself.
Latest Update on LPU Protest
As of September 28, 2026, police said the situation around Lovely Professional University had returned to normal and traffic on NH-44 had been restored.
According to the latest Lulu News updates, security forces remain deployed around the campus while the seven-member SIT continues investigating the sexual-assault allegation and the circumstances surrounding the violence.
The key question now is what the police investigation and forensic evidence establish about the original allegation. Until that investigation is completed, claims circulating on social media should not be treated as confirmed facts.
The LPU controversy began with students’ claims about an alleged sexual assault, followed by demands for investigation, security and accountability. The university has denied that the alleged incident occurred, while police have registered an FIR and formed an SIT to determine the facts.
The protest subsequently escalated into NH-44 blockade, clashes, vandalism and arson, leading LPU to suspend classes for 10 days and postpone examinations.
For now, the highway has reopened and authorities say the situation is under control, but the underlying allegation and the events surrounding the protest remain under investigation.
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