Violent protests at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab have once again brought the issue of women’s safety on Indian campuses into sharp focus. The protests erupted after claims circulated among students and on social media alleging that a female student had been sexually assaulted and that the university administration had failed to act.

Police have registered an FIR against an unidentified person and formed a Special Investigation Team to investigate the allegations. LPU, however, has described the claims circulating among students as false and baseless. The allegations remain under investigation, making it important to distinguish verified facts from unverified information.

The latest controversy comes against the backdrop of several high-profile sexual assault cases involving students, doctors and women associated with educational institutions over the past decade. These cases have raised recurring questions about campus security, institutional response, access to justice and the protection available to survivors.

LPU Protests Put Campus Safety Back in Focus

Protests at Lovely Professional University near Phagwara intensified on September 27, 2026, after allegations of sexual assault circulated among students. According to reports, protesters damaged property, set parts of buildings on fire and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway.

Police subsequently registered an FIR against an unidentified person and constituted an SIT. The university has denied that the alleged incident occurred on campus and called the circulating claims “false, baseless and fabricated rumours.”

The episode illustrates the difficulty authorities face when serious allegations spread rapidly through social media before investigations establish what happened. It also shows why timely communication, evidence preservation and transparent procedures are critical when sexual assault allegations involve educational institutions.

RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata: The Case That Triggered Nationwide Protests

In August 2024, a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The incident triggered widespread protests by doctors and civil society groups, with questions raised about security at the medical institution and the handling of the investigation.

The investigation was eventually taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation. In January 2025, a Sealdah court convicted Sanjoy Roy and sentenced him to imprisonment for life until his last breath. The court also ordered compensation for the victim's family.

The case became one of India's most prominent recent examples of sexual violence connected to an educational and medical institution and generated a nationwide debate over workplace and campus safety.

South Calcutta Law College: Evidence, Blackmail and Institutional Security

Another major Kolkata case emerged in 2025 at South Calcutta Law College. A first-year law student alleged that she was sexually assaulted inside the college premises.

Kolkata Police subsequently filed a 658-page chargesheet naming four accused. Investigators said the case involved digital evidence, CCTV footage, forensic material and statements from numerous witnesses. Police also alleged that videos of the survivor had been recorded and used for intimidation.

The case raised concerns not only about sexual violence but also about the misuse of technology for recording and blackmailing survivors and the responsibilities of security personnel within educational institutions.

Anna University, Chennai: Assault by an Outsider

In December 2024, a 19-year-old Anna University student was sexually assaulted on the university campus. The accused, A Gnanasekaran, was a biryani vendor operating near the university and had allegedly entered the campus before committing the assault.

A Chennai Mahila Court convicted Gnanasekaran in May 2025 on multiple charges. In June, the court sentenced him to life imprisonment without remission, requiring him to serve at least 30 years in prison.

The case also highlighted a different aspect of campus security: the challenge of controlling access to large educational campuses and protecting students from individuals who are not members of the institution.

Tufanganj College, Cooch Behar: Security Lapses

In November 2021, a second-year student at Tufanganj College in Cooch Behar alleged that she was raped inside the college during class hours.

According to the complaint reported at the time, the accused allegedly entered the college premises, took the student to an empty room near the library and assaulted her. Police arrested the accused after an FIR was registered. The college principal acknowledged security concerns and said people without identification should not have been able to enter the campus.

The incident demonstrated how physical access to campuses can become a major security issue, particularly when outsiders can enter educational premises without adequate checks.

Malla Reddy Engineering College, Hyderabad: Allegation Against a Faculty Member

In December 2019, a 19-year-old engineering student at Malla Reddy Engineering College in Hyderabad alleged that an assistant professor sexually assaulted her inside a laboratory.

According to reports, the student said the professor had asked her to come to the laboratory before she left for her hostel. Police arrested the accused after the student's family approached authorities and registered a complaint.

The case highlighted the particular vulnerability students can face when allegations involve people in positions of authority, including faculty members.

OP Jindal Global University: A Case That Reached the High Court

A 2015 case involving OP Jindal Global University in Sonepat concerned allegations of rape and blackmail involving a female student and three senior students.

A trial court convicted the accused in 2017 and sentenced two of them to 20 years in prison, while the third received a seven-year sentence. The Punjab and Haryana High Court later upheld the 20-year sentences of two accused but acquitted the third after finding that the prosecution had not established his involvement beyond reasonable doubt.

The case also generated controversy over judicial observations concerning the survivor. The subsequent legal proceedings demonstrated how allegations involving sexual violence can continue through multiple stages of the criminal justice system for years.

What These Cases Reveal About Campus Safety

These cases differ substantially in their facts. Some involved alleged offenders who were outsiders, while others involved faculty members, senior students, former students or people working within an institution.

However, several recurring issues emerge:

• Campus access: Large campuses can face challenges in controlling entry by outsiders.
• Security infrastructure: CCTV coverage, lighting, guards and emergency response systems can influence how quickly incidents are detected or addressed.
• Power relationships: Students may be vulnerable when allegations involve teachers, senior students or other people with institutional authority.
• Reporting barriers: Fear of stigma, retaliation or social consequences can discourage survivors from reporting immediately.
• Digital blackmail: Mobile phones and social media can be used to record, threaten or intimidate survivors.
• Institutional response: Universities need clear procedures for receiving complaints and cooperating with law-enforcement agencies.
• Investigation: Serious allegations require evidence-based investigation rather than conclusions based solely on rumours circulating online.

Key Highlights

• LPU protests in September 2026 followed circulation of unverified allegations concerning sexual assault; police registered an FIR and formed an SIT.
• The LPU administration has denied the allegations and called the claims circulating on campus false and baseless.
• The 2024 RG Kar case resulted in the conviction of Sanjoy Roy and a life sentence in January 2025.
• The South Calcutta Law College case resulted in a 658-page chargesheet involving four accused.
• The accused in the 2024 Anna University case was convicted and later sentenced to life imprisonment without remission, with a minimum 30-year prison term.
• Earlier cases at Tufanganj College, Malla Reddy Engineering College and OP Jindal Global University show that reported campus sexual violence has involved different kinds of alleged offenders and circumstances.

Professional Disclaimer & Third-Party Reference

This article is based on publicly reported information from established third-party news organisations and publicly available legal and police reporting. Allegations are identified as allegations unless established through a court finding. The LPU incident remains under investigation, and claims circulating through social media should not be treated as established facts without independent verification. Readers should consult official police statements, court records and verified institutional communications for subsequent developments.

Conclusion

The latest protests at Lovely Professional University have once again placed women's safety in educational institutions at the centre of public attention. The history of reported cases shows that campus safety involves more than physical security. Effective complaint mechanisms, responsible institutional communication, evidence-based investigations and timely cooperation with law enforcement are all important.

As investigations into the LPU allegations continue, the central issue remains the need to establish facts through due process while ensuring that students can study in an environment where serious complaints are taken seriously and handled through transparent procedures.