30 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : The Punjab and Haryana High Court is scheduled to hear a public interest litigation seeking an independent investigation into the recent violence, arson and vandalism at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara.
The petition, filed by an LPU student, seeks a court-monitored probe by an independent agency, including the CBI.
Student Seeks CBI Probe
The petitioner has asked the High Court to order an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the violence.
The plea alleges that significant damage was caused to property during the unrest, including incidents involving vandalism, looting and arson.
Hearing Before Division Bench
The petition is expected to be heard by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, according to reports.
The plea was mentioned for urgent hearing, following which the court agreed to hear the matter.
What Triggered the Violence?
According to the petition, an unverified social-media post circulated among students on the night of September 26, alleging that a worker had sexually assaulted a female student on the campus and that the university had sent her home.
The allegation triggered unrest, with the situation later escalating into violence and property damage. The allegations in the social-media post remain matters for investigation.
Petition Raises Questions Over Investigation
The petitioner has argued that the circumstances require an independent investigation because of the scale of the violence and allegations of vandalism and arson.
The request for a CBI probe will now be considered by the High Court, which may hear submissions from the parties concerned before deciding the next course of action.
Political Context Mentioned
The petition also refers to the political background of LPU founder and Chancellor Ashok Kumar Mittal, who is a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab.
The petitioner has cited his political affiliation as part of the argument for seeking an independent investigation. These are allegations and submissions made in the petition, not findings by the court.
Focus on Accountability
The court proceedings are expected to focus on the circumstances leading to the violence, the response of authorities and the allegations of damage to property.
The High Court’s consideration of the PIL could determine whether an independent agency is directed to investigate the matter.
Investigation Remains Pending
The PIL does not itself establish wrongdoing by any individual or organisation.
The allegations surrounding the violence, arson and vandalism will have to be examined through the appropriate legal process, while the court’s decision on the requested CBI probe remains awaited.