Lahore (Media Bites)-A developing case of alleged rape involving a female student at a private college in the Gulberg area of Lahore, the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province, has taken a complicated turn.
Two narratives are currently emerging regarding the incident. On one hand, female students from the college boycotted classes and staged a strong protest by blocking the Canal Road. On the other hand, Lahore police claim they have not yet confirmed the incident and report that neither the alleged victim nor her family has come forward to file a complaint.
Watch the protest’s video: https://www.facebook.com/muhammad.luqmansh/videos/512954471651561/?app=fbl
The situation escalated after unverified social media reports suggested that a security guard at the college was involved in the alleged assault. In response, the police took the suspect into custody. However, DIG Operations Faisal Kamran clarified that the authorities have not received any formal report from the victim or her family, nor has any information been relayed through the police help line or the college administration.
Protests and Clashes Erupt at the College
The incident sparked widespread anger among students, leading to a large protest in front of the college’s Gulberg campus. As tensions rose, security guards attempted to lock the classrooms and gates to prevent further unrest, but this provoked the students even more. Enraged students responded by vandalizing both the interior and exterior of the college, breaking CCTV cameras, setting chairs on fire, and ripping apart the entry register at the main gate.
Reports indicate that at least one student was injured in the scuffle with security guards, and several female students felt unwell amid the chaos. The unrest spread to other campuses as well, with students from a nearby institution, MAO College, joining the protest and chanting slogans. Meanwhile, a group of students blocked Canal Road near Muslim Town, further disrupting traffic in the area.
During the protests, some students alleged that the security guard involved in the incident physically assaulted both a male and a female student. They also reported that a student was seriously injured by broken glass during the demonstration, and a female student fainted. Both students were taken to the hospital for medical treatment.
Police Investigation and Official Statements
Despite the uproar, police officials maintain that no evidence has been found to substantiate the allegations of rape. DIG Faisal Kamran reiterated that no formal complaints have been registered at the local police station or through emergency helplines. He added that checks at four to five private hospitals in the area found no record of any admission matching the alleged victim’s description.
The detained security guard has denied involvement in any such incident. Additionally, footage from the college’s internal CCTV system has reportedly revealed no suspicious activity linked to the allegations.
DIG Kamran urged students not to believe in rumors and advised anyone with credible information about the incident to cooperate with the police. He stressed that without the involvement of the victim or her family, the police are constrained in their ability to proceed further with the investigation.
Conclusion
The situation remains unclear as the police have yet to verify the alleged incident, and both the victim and her family remain untraceable. Meanwhile, tensions between students and college administration continue to run high, with students demanding accountability and transparency.
The unfolding events highlight the power of social media in spreading unverified information and the challenges authorities face in managing public anger when official investigations yield limited evidence.
