Video of Police Officer Slapping Woman Protester Goes Viral, Officer Removed from Jantar Mantar
The protest was attended by thousands of students and supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who were demanding reforms in the examination system and action over alleged irregularities. Protesters also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
New Delhi: A senior Delhi Police officer has reportedly been removed from security duties at Jantar Mantar after a video allegedly showing him slapping a woman protester during a demonstration went viral on social media.
Sandeep Lamba, who was serving as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast District), came under scrutiny after the video surfaced on July 20. The footage reportedly showed him allegedly slapping a woman during protests against an alleged paper leak and irregularities in the NEET 2026 examination.
The protest was attended by thousands of students and supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who were demanding reforms in the examination system and action over alleged irregularities. Protesters also called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Former Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale has also reportedly filed a police complaint against Lamba. In a social media post, Gokhale said he submitted the complaint after the Delhi High Court was informed that no FIR had been filed regarding alleged police violence during the protests.
During proceedings before the Delhi High Court, senior advocate Gopal Shankar Narayanan reportedly referred to the viral video and argued that the woman was neither violent nor resisting when she was allegedly slapped by the senior police officer. He urged the court to summon the officer and hold him accountable.
The petitioners’ counsel also alleged that police did not follow the prescribed procedure while dispersing the protesters. According to the submissions, water cannons should have been used first, whereas police allegedly resorted to tear gas and subsequently baton charging.
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The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the Delhi Police, the Central government and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on public interest petitions related to the incident and sought responses within four weeks. The court has also directed the authorities to preserve all evidence related to the police action, including CCTV footage and video recordings, for possible use in further investigations.
The incident took place on July 20, when thousands of students and CJP supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar for a proposed “Chalo Parliament” march on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Although Delhi Police had not granted permission for the march, protesters reportedly attempted to proceed towards Parliament, following which police used tear gas and baton charges.
According to police, around 50 personnel suffered minor injuries while attempting to prevent protesters from breaking through barricades. Several protesters were also reportedly injured during the clashes.
Later, two representatives of the CJP met Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and submitted their demands, which reportedly included the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The CJP was reportedly launched by Abhijit Dapke in May 2026 as a satirical digital campaign. The movement subsequently gained significant attention on social media and expanded into protests demanding education reforms, transparency in the examination system and action against alleged paper leaks.
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk later joined the movement and began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 28. Following deterioration in his health, he was shifted to a government hospital and was later admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram with court permission, where he is reportedly undergoing treatment.
