The late-night disturbance was reported in Chitkara University in Patiala district on 25 September after a video of a “ghost” on campus circulated widely on social media. The viral images scared students so much that there was a huge crowd at the university campus. What started as rumors turned into a protest, an argument with police and the vandalism of a government vehicle was what happened.
Student slogans were also raised against the university management. Ajay Kumar, the chief of KSM outpost of City Rajpura, was allegedly manhandled during the clash. Police teams were also sent in large numbers to contain the situation and protect students as there was increasing tension on campus.
Viral Videos Sparks Panic among Students.
The trouble was reported to have started after a video circulated on social media and some students linked it with rumours that a female student on campus had died by suicide. In the hostel, claims then spread that the student’s spirit was appearing in the hostel, frightening students.
The rumours spread, university security staff and senior officials arrived near the scene. They told students there had been no such suicide on campus. Some students also told me some unknown people knocked on or slammed the hostel-room doors before they left the area, which may have added to some of the paranoia and speculation amongst students.
Nevertheless, the situation was tense. There were hundreds of students gathered around the university administration and hundreds more came out protesting and continued protesting, and slogans were raised against the university administration. The large number of students rallied and marched to the university administration, and the continued distribution of unverified information from different websites and the media was also a big problem in the confusion.
Police Teams Reach University
As the protest heated up, police teams from Banur Police Station, Sadar Police Station, Rajpura Police Station and City Police Station Rajpura were deployed at the university. Their primary objective was to disperse the gathering and restore order on the campus.
The situation then turned confrontational and students and police personnel were involved in a clash. A government police vehicle was also vandalised.
Ajay Kumar (KSM outpost in charge under City Rajpura) was also manhandled in the incident. Kumar had arrived for duty in an intoxicated state, students said. Following the incident, he was taken for a medical examination at the university laboratory.
Missing Students Claims Also Circulate
In the midst of the protest, another group of rumors circulated on social media that female students had gone missing from the university. Police at the time dismissed these reports and described it as a rumour.
DSP Banur Sukhdev Singh said police had received information about two female students who were missing. A social media post had also been circulated about the claim. Sukhdev Singh, along with SHO Inspector Gursevak Singh and university administration officials, reached the campus and began verifying the allegations.
According to the police, students were unable to identify the girls who were supposedly missing and could not provide their names. Based on the initial verification, authorities said the claims appeared to be unsubstantiated.
But police said the information was not ignored and that the matter would be investigated thoroughly. Students were assured that every student on campus would be verified and that appropriate legal action would be taken if anyone was actually found to be missing.
Following the spread of false rumours of suicide by two students, students created a huge ruckus and vandalised a police vehicle.
— Wallah Habebe (@Wallahhabebe) September 26, 2026
The case pertains to Chitkara University, Patiala, Punjab.
Some other social elements posted fake posts on Instagram and Facebook about the suicide… pic.twitter.com/BX4rugml81
CCTV Footage To be Examined
Students were also informed that the reason behind the reported late-night door knock and the subsequent spreading of rumours would be studied. CCTV footage from the campus will allow us to figure out what happened and who is involved,” said a police official.
Police and university officials said appropriate legal and administrative action would be taken against those who were responsible for creating disturbances or spreading information that could cause panic.
The protesting students finally dispersed and returned to their hostels. The situation on the university campus was then brought under control.
Police Appeal To Parents
DSP Sukhdev Singh also appealed to parents not to panic over information circulating on social media. There are police officers on the ground and we are constantly monitoring security arrangements on the campus, he said.
Hence, the incident shows the speed with which unverified claims and viral videos can create fear among students in a residential campus setting. With police and university officials now examining CCTV footage and verifying the claims, they will have to establish the sequence of events that led to the late-night protest.
Students and parents are also advised to trust university officials and law enforcement officials more and not send out unconfirmed posts or videos on social media. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing inquiry.
