LPU student seeks CBI probe into campus violence as students leave for home
A Lovely Professional University (LPU) student has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into the allegations and violence that engulfed the Phagwara campus over the weekend.
The plea comes as classes remain suspended, students leave for their hometowns and shopkeepers assess losses from the arson and looting.
Ravi Raj, a 23-year-old third-year computer science student from Bihar, wants an independent investigation into both the sexual assault allegation that triggered the protests and the violence that followed. His petition is expected to be heard on Wednesday by a bench of Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor.
The university, the Punjab government, police officials, the Union government, the CBI and Meta Platforms are among the respondents.
The unrest began after an unverified claim about the sexual assault of a female student spread on social media and across the campus. Around 2,000 students gathered near the girls’ hostel. The protest later spilled onto a highway, while buildings on campus were set on fire and shops were looted.
Raj alleged in his petition that outsiders joined some students in the violence. He claimed the attack was organised and questioned why police did not stop the arson and looting after learning that a crowd had gathered. The court has yet to examine those claims.
Police have registered a rape case against an unidentified person on a female student’s complaint and formed a Special Investigation Team. They say they have found no evidence so far to substantiate the alleged assault. LPU has denied that it took place.
LPU has cancelled regular classes for ten days from September 28 and postponed mid-term examinations. It said a revised schedule would be issued through its University Management System.
Students have been told they may return home after consulting their parents or guardians. Those staying on campus have been asked to remain in their hostels or residences and avoid activities linked to the unrest.
Large numbers have left, leaving sections of the campus and its hostels noticeably quieter. Reports suggest more than half of LPU’s roughly 35,000–40,000 students may have gone home, though the university has not confirmed how many have left. Police remain deployed around academic buildings, hostels and gates.
The university has also formed a three-member disciplinary committee to examine whether students took part in the violence. Officials are reviewing CCTV footage and other material concerning around 30 to 40 students.SHOPKEEPERS COUNT LOSSES
Shopkeepers at the campus’s Uni Mall are assessing the damage to stores selling laptops, phones, clothes and other goods. Several outlets were broken into during the unrest.
Supreet Singh, who has run a laptop store there for more than a decade, told India Today that electronics shops were hit particularly hard. Traders estimate losses across several mobile and laptop outlets at more than Rs 10 crore. The total has yet to be independently assessed.
Karan, who opened a lamination and laptop shop in July, estimated his loss at Rs 25 lakh. He said the store’s CCTV cameras and recorder were removed, and laptops and phones were taken. Another shopkeeper, Honey, estimated losses of about Rs 25 lakh at his clothing store.
Police are investigating the assault allegation and the campus violence. LPU’s disciplinary committee will separately examine the role of students, while the High Court is expected to take up Raj’s request for a CBI probe on Wednesday.- Ends
Kamaljit Sandhu is an award winning journalist working as Deputy Editor in India Today. She has nearly two decades of experience as a full time TV journalist. She covers "conflict" regions, Internal security matters, MEA and Parliament. Her work has often led to crisscrossing the country. She has also traveled to Pakistan and Iran, in pursuit of news stories. In 2019, she received the ENBA Award for best news programming for her ground report on "surviving Bastar" which was based on the government's policy on inducting tribals in Crpf in chattisgarh to counter naxals.
Personal interests: Kamaljit likes travelling, interior decoration and playing scrabble, Has varied interests in sporting activities like swimming, badminton and Yoga.
