On September 28, 2026, Chairperson Raj Lalli Gill issued a suo motu notice to the Punjab State Women Commission after a rape claim surfaced at Lovely Professional University (LPU) and a student’s death at Chitkara University triggered widespread concern.
Students at LPU took to the campus squares, chanting for immediate intervention after an alleged rape. They accused the university’s management of inaction, demanding accountability and a thorough investigation into campus safety protocols. Gill’s tweet called for copies of FIRs and a detailed safety audit from the district administration. At Chitkara University, a girl student went missing, only to be found dead days later in what authorities have described as a suicide. The incident has spurred calls for transparency from parents and a review of how student welfare is monitored on campus. The commission has formally requested the Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police to furnish comprehensive reports, including any existing campus security measures, the timeline of police response, and the university’s internal handling of the cases. Gill emphasized that the commission would scrutinise whether these institutions met their legal duties to protect students. A mother of the missing Chitkara student, who was 20, told reporters that the university never kept her updated on the investigation, adding that she felt abandoned during her daughter’s crisis. Meanwhile, a 21‑year‑old LPU student said she no longer felt safe walking the campus after the incident. The commission will convene a special session next week, set to assess the district reports and determine whether disciplinary action or policy reforms are warranted. The outcome will set a precedent for how higher‑education institutions handle grave student safety allegations across Punjab.