The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday, 30 September directed the Punjab government to submit a status report on the violence, arson, and vandalism that erupted at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, and sought clarification on whether the alleged sexual assault that reportedly triggered the unrest had actually occurred.

What the Court Directed

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor was hearing a public interest litigation filed by LPU student Ravi Raj, who has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the violence. The court has not yet passed any order on the CBI demand and has fixed 8 October as the date for the next hearing.

The Bench directed the state to file a report under the signatures of the Commissioner of Police, specifying whether the incident referenced in a social media post dated 26 September had in fact taken place. It also sought details of action taken if the alleged incident occurred — and, if it did not, what steps were taken to have the post removed and to address its circulation.

How the Unrest Unfolded

The violence stemmed from an unverified post on social media alleging that a female student had been raped on the university campus and subsequently sent home. The rumours spread rapidly, triggering protests that escalated into vandalism, arson, damage to property, and a blockade of a stretch of the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway. The university suspended academic activities in the aftermath and tightened security on campus.

State Government's Position

During the hearing, the state government's counsel informed the court that the matter was under investigation. Police were reportedly attempting to trace the origin of the Reddit post that sparked the controversy, and were simultaneously probing both the alleged sexual assault and the violence that followed. The court also sought clarity on accountability for the unrest and the action taken against those responsible.

Police Action So Far

Punjab Police have registered three first information reports (FIRs) in connection with the unrest and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations including arson, robbery, and assault on police personnel. The investigation remains ongoing, with the High Court's next hearing scheduled for 8 October.

The case raises broader questions about the speed at which unverified social media content can trigger large-scale campus violence — and the state's responsibility to act swiftly on both the alleged crime and the disorder that follows.