CHANDIGARH, October 1: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought a comprehensive status report from Punjab Police on the recent violence at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara and the circulation of unverified social-media claims alleging the rape and death of a female student.
The court’s direction came while hearing a petition seeking a CBI investigation into the campus violence, arson, vandalism, alleged looting and blockade of National Highway 44, as well as an inquiry into the origin of the viral claims that triggered the unrest.
High Court Seeks Detailed Police Report
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor asked the state to submit a detailed report on the action taken by police.
The status report has been directed to be filed under the signature of the Jalandhar Police Commissioner.
The court is expected to examine the report before deciding whether any further directions are required.
Next Hearing Scheduled for October 8
The matter has been listed for its next hearing on October 8.
The detailed police report is expected to provide information about the investigation into both the campus violence and the social-media claims that preceded the protests.
The court has not ordered a CBI investigation at this stage.
LPU Student Seeks CBI Probe
The proceedings arise from a Public Interest Litigation filed by an LPU student seeking an independent investigation.
The petition asks for a CBI probe or, alternatively, a court-monitored Special Investigation Team into the violence that occurred during the night of September 26-27.
It also seeks investigation into the involvement of people who may not have been students of the university.
Viral Sexual-Assault Claim Under Scrutiny
The unrest began after social-media posts and messages circulated claiming that a female student had allegedly been sexually assaulted on campus.
Some posts went further and alleged that the student had later died by suicide.
These claims have not been independently established, and both police and the university have previously questioned or denied the versions circulating online.
The court proceedings are now also examining how the claims originated and spread.
Court Questions Authenticity of Social-Media Claims
During the hearing, the bench raised questions about whether the alleged incident described in the viral posts had actually taken place.
The authenticity of the claims is therefore an important part of the investigation.
Authorities have been asked to examine the evidence rather than relying on social-media posts or rumours.
Police in Contact With Reddit
Punjab Police have said they are attempting to trace the origin of posts that circulated online before the violence.
Authorities are reportedly in contact with Reddit as part of efforts to identify the source of content connected with the allegations.
Messages, audio recordings, videos and other online material are expected to be examined during the investigation.
Violence Erupted After Claims Spread Online
Large numbers of students gathered on campus after the claims began circulating.
The demonstration subsequently escalated, with incidents of vandalism, arson and damage to university property reported.
The unrest later spread toward the main gate and the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway.
NH-44 Blocked During Protest
Protesters blocked National Highway 44, disrupting traffic on the Jalandhar-Phagwara stretch.
The blockade continued for several hours before authorities restored movement.
Vehicles and other property were also damaged during the unrest.
Police Investigate Presence of Outsiders
Another issue under investigation is whether people from outside the university participated in the violence.
The High Court petition specifically seeks an inquiry into the possible role of non-students.
Investigators are expected to examine CCTV footage and other evidence to identify people who were present during the disturbances.
CCTV Footage Preservation Sought
The petition has requested directions to preserve CCTV recordings relating to the campus and the violence.
Such footage could help investigators reconstruct the sequence of events and identify individuals involved in vandalism, arson or other unlawful activity.
Digital evidence from mobile phones and social-media platforms may also form part of the investigation.
FIRs Already Registered
Punjab Police have informed the court that multiple FIRs have been registered and investigations are underway.
A Special Investigation Team was also formed earlier to examine the allegation that triggered the protests.
Investigators have been looking at CCTV recordings, call records and other material before reaching any conclusion about the sexual-assault claim.
University Denies Viral Allegations
LPU has maintained that claims of a sexual assault and subsequent death circulating on social media were false and unverified.
The university has said it is cooperating with investigating agencies and has urged students not to rely on rumours.
Police have also said that the allegations require verification before any conclusion can be drawn.
Classes Suspended Following Violence
The university suspended regular classes for 10 days from September 28 following the unrest.
Mid-term examinations were also postponed.
Students were allowed to return home after consulting their families, while those remaining on campus were advised to avoid involvement in further unrest.
Heavy Security Deployed on Campus
More than 2,000 police personnel were deployed around LPU after the protests turned violent.
Security forces conducted a flag march and increased surveillance around hostels, gates and other important areas.
Authorities later said the situation had returned to normal.
High Court Focuses on Facts Behind Viral Claims
The court proceedings have now placed renewed attention on both the violence and the role of unverified information in triggering the unrest.
The key questions include whether the original allegations had any factual basis, who first circulated them and whether outsiders contributed to the escalation.
The next hearing on October 8 is expected to provide a clearer picture after Punjab Police submits its detailed status report.
Source – Punjab and Haryana High Court / Punjab Police / Times of India / The Indian Express The Times of India
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