Punjab police have refuted allegations of the rape of a private college student that led to violent protests in Lahore. The controversy began after rumors of the alleged sexual assault circulated widely on social media, prompting a large group of students to stage demonstrations outside the college. As tensions escalated, clashes between protesters and the police resulted in injuries to at least 28 people. The situation remained volatile, with the protests temporarily halted and expected to resume the following day.
In response to the allegations, the police arrested a security guard who was accused of committing the crime. However, the investigation found no evidence to support the rape claims. The accused security guard denied any involvement, and police were unable to substantiate the allegations against him.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Defence, Shehrbano Naqvi, spoke about the investigation on a news program, revealing that the girl named in the reports had been hospitalized 10 days prior to the alleged assault due to an injury sustained at her own home while preparing for school. ASP Naqvi emphasized that the girl’s medical history and hospital records confirmed that she had fallen and injured herself, not been assaulted. She further clarified that two girls at the college shared the same name, with one being completely unharmed and the other hospitalized due to the fall.
The girl’s family also came forward, denying any claims of sexual assault. In a video message alongside ASP Naqvi, the girl’s father and uncle, wearing masks, stated that the reports of a rape were false and that their daughter had been hospitalized for a back injury caused by her fall at home. They expressed surprise at the ongoing protests, calling them misguided. ASP Naqvi urged people not to spread misinformation, assuring that the police would take immediate action if a genuine victim were to come forward.
Meanwhile, the protests, led by the ‘Progressive Students Collective,’ continued outside the Punjab Assembly and in other cities, with students demanding justice and reforms to address harassment and student safety. The demonstrators called for the formation of a human rights committee, comprising judges and female students, to handle such complaints and protect students from harassment.
In cities like Multan, Jahanian, and Zafarwal, students also took to the streets, with some vandalizing property and blocking roads in protest against the alleged harassment. Police intervened and made arrests, using batons to disperse the crowds in Multan.
In response to the growing unrest, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz formed a high-level investigation committee to examine the matter. The six-member body, led by the Punjab Chief Secretary, includes officials from the home department, higher education, healthcare, and legal sectors. The committee has been tasked with reviewing the entire incident, including the response of the college administration and police, and will present its findings to the Chief Minister within 48 hours.
