The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday expressed serious dissatisfaction with the Punjab Police's investigation into the violence at Lovely Professional University (LPU), observing that the steps taken fell "much short" of expectations and hinting at a possible wider conspiracy behind the fake social media posts that triggered the unrest. The court gave the state police one more opportunity to conduct a proper probe before it considers transferring the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a CBI probe into the February 2025 violence at the LPU campus. The unrest erupted after false rumours spread about the alleged sexual assault and suicide of a female student—an incident that never occurred. Three state police vehicles were torched, several police personnel sustained injuries, and property worth approximately ₹30 crore was destroyed. Traffic on a national highway was blocked for hours.

"The fears which are highlighted before the Court, we are taking it very seriously," Chief Justice Mishra told the Punjab government's counsel, while warning that the court's current view of the investigation could lead to a different order if the probe did not improve.

Court Flags Conspiracy Beyond Campus

The bench pointed out that a non-existent event had been reported at two universities in quick succession. Shortly after the LPU incident, similar false claims about a student suicide surfaced at Chitkara University, leading to further unrest. The court noted that this pattern raised serious questions about whether the misinformation was part of a coordinated effort to disrupt public order.

"Why a non-existent event was shared on social media with the intent to create unrest, cause damage to public order and underminine the larger public interest is a matter of serious concern and has to be delt with on priority," the Bench observed.

The court also questioned the investigation into the role of an 18-year-old first-year student who forwarded the false message. The state submitted that the student had no criminal intent (mens rea), but the bench asked whether someone had used her phone to circulate the message. Notably, her statement was absent from the sealed report submitted during the hearing, a point that the court specifically flagged.

Social Media Misinformation a Growing Threat

The High Court directed the authorities to immediately inform all social media platforms that the reported incident was false and to request immediate takedown of the content. "We are not equipped persons, but this is something which has now become so basic. This is the first thing: inform all social media platforms that they have to immediately take it down," the bench remarked.

Additional Advocate-General Chanchal K. Singla informed the court that the Counter-Intelligence unit was personally reviewing the matter and collecting technical data. She sought an adjournment to enable the police to apprehend the culprit.

The court, however, was not satisfied with the pace and depth of the investigation. It told the state, "If we say what we feel as of now, then some other order will have to be passed. We are still giving your opportunity." The bench observed that the circulation of false information appeared to have implications extending beyond the university campus, affecting public safety and national interest.

State Gets Another Chance to Correct Probe

Senior advocate Gaurav Chora, appearing for the petitioner-student, highlighted the scale of damage—₹30 crore worth of property destroyed and multiple police injuries—contending that only a CBI probe could ensure a thorough and impartial investigation. Lovely Professional University was represented by advocate Ranjit Singh Bajaj.

The court refrained from recording all aspects of the case in its order, stating that the investigation was ongoing and it would not be appropriate to disclose details. Nevertheless, it described the issue as "extremely serious" and required greater caution than currently being exercised.

The bench gave the Punjab Police a last chance to examine the matter in its proper perspectieve. It expects the police authorities to immediately take cognizance of the larger implications—including the threats to public safety, security, and larger national interest—and take remedial measures forthwith to apprehend the culprits.

The matter has been adjourned to allow the police to complete its investigation and submit a progress report. Should the court remain unsatisfied, it may order the transfer of the investigation to an independent central agency. The next hearing is expected within weeks.

This case underscores the growing judicial concern over the use of social media to incite campus violence and the critical need for swift and effective police response to protect public order and national security.