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.
STUDENT ALLEGES OUTSIDERS JOINED VIOLENCE 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.
CLASSES SUSPENDED, STUDENTS LEAVE LPU has cancelled regular classes for ten days from September 28 and postponed mid-term examinations. I
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