The Punjab Police have decided to close the investigation into an alleged rape case at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Kapurthala, which triggered campus violence and vandalism on September 26.
In an affidavit submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Inspector General of Police Ashish Choudhary said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had found no evidence supporting the allegations. Police examined CCTV footage, digital devices and statements from 50 people before preparing a cancellation report to be submitted to the competent court.
The violence erupted after unverified reports alleged that an outsider had raped a female student. A mob allegedly vandalised university property, damaged police vehicles and blocked the Amritsar-Delhi National Highway, causing an estimated ₹30 crore in damage.
Police said the LPU violence was unrelated to the unrest at Chitkara University on September 25-26, which was triggered by rumours surrounding an ambulance sighting. Investigators found no evidence of a common conspiracy between the two incidents.
In the LPU violence case, 116 people have been named as accused, with 17 arrested so far. Police have identified 33 alleged group leaders and instigators. Separate cases have also been registered for highway obstruction and violence against police personnel.
The affidavit was submitted in response to a public interest litigation seeking an independent investigation into the campus violence.
