LPU Students Initially Denied Rape Claim, Later Alleged University ‘Instructed’ Them What To Say

Students at Punjab’s Lovely Professional University (LPU) have alleged that a video released by the university to counter claims of a student being raped in a hostel was scripted. Three students featured in the video claimed they were instructed on what to say and that the clip was later “trimmed” and posted on social media without their consent.

The allegations surfaced as massive protests erupted at LPU over claims that a female student was raped by a construction worker on the university campus and later died by suicide. Protesters allegedly vandalised campus property, set parts of buildings on fire and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway while demanding an FIR against the alleged accused.

What LPU Claimed In The Video

Amid the unrest, LPU’s Instagram and X accounts shared a video featuring registrar Monika Gulati, seeking to counter allegations surrounding an alleged incident in Room 504 of Girls’ Hostel 3 (GH3).

In the video, Gulati introduces three students as residents of the room and says, “I would like you to hear what the girls residing in room number 504 of GH3 told us.”

One of the students says she and the other residents had been staying in the room for around two months and that no such incident had occurred there.

Another student says they had been distressed and warned that they would involve their parents if the alleged harassment continued.

The third student appeals to police to stop repeatedly visiting the room.

LPU used the video as part of its response to rape allegations circulating on social media.

Students Allege LPU Video Was Scripted

The three students who appeared in the LPU video later appeared in another purported clip and alleged that they had been instructed to make the statements featured in the university’s video.

One student said they were told to claim that they were being troubled by other students and that they had simply followed the instructions given to them.

“We were told that you should say something like, ‘The children keep troubling you,’” the student said.

The student further alleged that only part of the original recording was retained before it was posted on Instagram.

“Our half video was trimmed and posted on Instagram, which we had no idea about. No consent was taken from us. This happened without our knowledge, and we were unnecessarily abused and subjected to vulgar comments,” the student alleged.

Another student said the three had no connection with the alleged incident and appealed to people to stop targeting them.

“We have no involvement in this. A random room was picked and named. We have absolutely no role in this. Please leave us alone,” the student said.

HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos or the allegations made in them.

Why LPU Is Facing Protests

According to a complaint by students, a construction worker allegedly raped a female student inside a university hostel three days before the protests.

Students alleged that the hostel warden forced the victim to return home instead of informing the police. DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla said the student allegedly later died by suicide at her home.

LPU has denied the rape-suicide allegation and accused “anti-social elements” of “creating unnecessary confusion among students and attempting to disturb the peaceful academic environment of the University”.

The police investigation has nevertheless moved forward.

“We have also included five representatives of the protesting students in the probe team. The matter will be thoroughly investigated as all the digital and technical evidence will be taken on record,” Singla said, according to an earlier HT report.

Police have also been examining the hostel premises and CCTV footage as part of the investigation.

LPU Suspends Classes, Postpones Exams

LPU announced that regular classes would remain suspended for 10 days from September 28, while mid-term examinations were postponed until further notice.

In a notice issued to students, the university said they could travel to their hometowns during the 10-day period after consulting their parents or guardians.

Students who remain on campus have been advised to stay inside their hostels and avoid unnecessary movement or involvement in any unrest.