Delhi Police removed Additional Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Lamba from his post at Jantar Mantar after he slapped a female protester [1].
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between law enforcement and civil demonstrators in New Delhi, raising questions about police conduct during public marches.
Lamba, who serves as the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police for the North East district [2], was recorded striking a woman during a march to Parliament [1]. The demonstration was organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and took place on July 20, 2024 [1].
The video of the encounter circulated widely, leading to significant public backlash. Officials said the officer's behavior was unacceptable, noting that he had lost his cool during the event [3].
Following the outcry, the Delhi Police department took action to remove Lamba from the protest site. A source said Sandeep Lamba has been directed to report back to his parent district and will no longer be deployed at the Jantar Mantar protest site [4].
Jantar Mantar is a frequent site for political demonstrations in India, often requiring heavy police presence to manage crowds. This removal follows a pattern of administrative responses to viral footage of officer misconduct during the Chalo Sansad march [1].
Lamba's rank as a senior officer adds weight to the incident, as the Additional Deputy Commissioner is expected to maintain order and discipline among both the public and subordinates [2]. The department has not announced further disciplinary measures beyond his removal from the site [4].
“Sandeep Lamba has been directed to report back to his parent district”
The immediate removal of a high-ranking officer like an Additional Deputy Commissioner suggests that the Delhi Police are sensitive to the optics of police brutality in the digital age. Because the assault was captured on video, the department was forced to act quickly to mitigate public anger, reflecting a broader trend where social media footage serves as a primary catalyst for police accountability in India.
