A social media influencer has come under scrutiny in the Punjab Police investigation into the violence at Lovely Professional University (LPU), after original CCTV footage from the campus surfaced and investigators began examining his movements before the clashes.
The footage from the university’s digital video recorders is being reviewed alongside videos circulating on social media. Police are trying to establish the sequence of events inside and around the department of student welfare (DSW) building, where CCTV cameras and window panes were damaged during Sunday’s violence.
Police examine influencer’s movements
One video being examined by investigators purportedly shows the influencer entering the DSW building without covering his face. Shortly afterwards, a group of masked protesters, some allegedly carrying weapons, is seen entering the building.
The influencer, who is part of the LPU student community and has more than 21,000 Instagram followers, was also seen during the protest speaking with police officials.
Another purported video appears to show him damaging a statue and other university property. Police have not drawn conclusions from the footage yet and are checking its authenticity and context.
Senior superintendent of police Gaurav Toora said the investigation was still examining the available material.
“We need to check the authenticity of the particular videos on social media before identifying those present at the time of violence in the university campus,” Toora said.
The university has also said it would provide investigators with information about the influencer.
“We have received some inputs about this particular influencer and will share all the details about him and his record with the police probing the matter,” executive dean and student welfare head Sorabh Lakhanpal said.
Influencer denies joining violent protest
The influencer later posted a video explaining why he was inside the DSW building. He denied taking part in the violence and said he had entered the premises to appeal to students not to damage trophies.
“I was present at DSW but only to appeal to the students not to break any trophies inside DSW. I told them that they could break anything but trophies. I am not part of the violent protest,” he said.
He claimed he became agitated after a security guard allegedly hit a female student and property was damaged. He also rejected allegations that he had brought outsiders onto the campus.
In another social media post, he said he was being targeted because of his content and issues he had raised during the protest.
“I pointed out every issue that needed attention—whether it was suicide, eve-teasing, or anything else,” he said.
Police yet to verify rape rumour
Investigators are comparing original CCTV recordings with social media videos and witness accounts. The authenticity of the message that triggered the unrest also remains unclear.
The violence erupted after unverified reports circulated among students alleging that an outsider had raped a female student. Three days after the incident, police were still investigating the origin and authenticity of the message.