Chitkara University: ‘Ghost’ Rumours and 'Missing Students' Claim Sparks Campus Protest and Vandalisation
A late-night protest erupted at Chitkara University in Patiala after unverified social media rumours claimed two female students were missing and a 'ghost' was haunting the hostel. The unrest led to campus vandalism and damage to a police vehicle. Authorities and police dismissed the suicide and missing claims as baseless, confirming all students are safe.
A tense situation unfolded at Chitkara University near Rajpura in Punjab's Patiala district late Friday night, September 25, after unverified rumours about a ‘ghost’ on campus and two allegedly missing female students spread rapidly across social media. A large number of students gathered on the campus and began protesting amid the panic, which escalated into violent unrest, clashes with law enforcement personnel, and acts of campus vandalism.
The commotion intensified as hundreds of hostellers took to the streets late at night demanding answers from the administration, with sections of the crowd damaging a government police patrol vehicle, NDTV and India Today reported. Police teams from nearby stations were rushed to the campus to control the crowd and defuse tensions. During the confrontation, students allegedly manhandled Ajay Kumar, the in-charge of the KSM police post in City Rajpura, and accused him of being under the influence of alcohol. Following the allegations, the officer was taken to the university laboratory for a medical examination, though the claims have not been independently verified. Who Is Sangita Srivastava? Allahabad University Vice-Chancellor Gets Historic Second Term.
Meanwhile, Punjab Police stated that the rumors regarding missing or dead students at Chitkara University were entirely baseless, noting that no one knew the names or identities of any missing students.
Chitkara University Campus Protest
पंजाब के पटियाला की चितकारा यूनिवर्सिटी में 'भूत' होने की अफवाह ने हड़कंप मचा दिया.. जिसके बाद यहां छात्रों ने भारी हंगामा किया.. तोड़फोड़ की.. कैंपस में 'भूत' होने का एक वीडियो सोशल मीडिया पर तेजी से वायरल हो गया। वीडियो सामने आने के बाद देर रात सैकड़ों छात्र सड़कों पर उतर आए और… pic.twitter.com/AtGD4BfR3g
— UJJWAL DOBHAL (@UjjwalDobhal) September 26, 2026
DSP Banur briefs the media regarding the reported missing girls from Chitkara University, outlining the police response and ongoing efforts to trace them.#LawAndOrder #Update pic.twitter.com/a7R1leIxrB
— Patiala Police (@PatialaPolice) September 26, 2026
'Ghost' and Suicide Claims Dismissed by Administration
The unrest was largely fuelled by claims among students that a female student had died by suicide on the campus in the past and that her ‘ghost’ was haunting hostel residents. Students also claimed that screams had been heard emanating from a girls' hostel. Both the university administration and police firmly denied that any suicide or death had taken place on the premises.
"The claims circulating on social media are false and without factual basis or substantiation," the university stated in an official release. Maharashtra FDA Tukaram Mundhe Says ‘WhatsApp University’ and Reel Culture Influencing Decisions.
Addressing specific concerns regarding an ambulance seen on campus, the university explained that the vehicle had arrived at the hostel in the early hours of Thursday to assist a student who had returned from a hospital visit. "There was no death or suicide associated with this incident," the statement added.
According to the administration, the panic originally began after miscreants knocked on student room doors late at night and fled, which spiralled into supernatural rumours.
Clarification Over 'Pandit's' Visit to Girls' Hostel
The university also responded to viral posts alleging that a 'Pandit Ji' had visited the girls' hostel for occult rituals or exorcisms. "His visit did take place; however, the facts are being misrepresented online. He had come to the hostel at approximately 3:00 p.m. to meet his daughter, who is a student at the university. His presence had no connection whatsoever with any alleged death or suicide," the statement read.
The university administration urged students and parents not to rely on "unverified reels, posts or messages on social media," noting that "such content, when circulated without checking facts, can cause unnecessary distress among students and their families and create an inaccurate impression of events on campus".
Police Reassure Parents and Begin Verification
Senior police officers, including DSP Sukhdev Singh, reached the campus to pacify the demonstrating students and review security arrangements. Addressing the circulating claims that two female students had gone missing, DSP Singh pointed out that no identifying details or concrete reports had been presented by the protesting crowd.
"We have met students here and received their complaint. But nobody knows who is missing. They even do not know the name of any of the girls who is missing. But there is a rumour that two girls are missing," an officer said.
"Considering the seriousness of the matter, we have received a complaint from students. We will investigate it. We will do verification of each student if anybody is found missing, necessary action will be taken," he added.
DSP Singh assured parents that the situation on campus was peaceful and that all students were safe. Police and the university administration confirmed that CCTV footage will be reviewed to identify those responsible for knocking on doors and spreading panic online. Following formal assurances from the authorities, the students dispersed and returned to their respective hostels.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2026 09:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
