A senior Delhi Police officer has been removed from Jantar Mantar duties after a video allegedly showed him slapping a woman protester during the CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march
Delhi Police have removed Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba from duty at the Jantar Mantar protest site after a video allegedly showed him slapping a woman protester during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march. The development comes amid ongoing legal proceedings over allegations of excessive force, fresh clashes between protesters and police, and continuing demonstrations over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 examination irregularities.
New Delhi: A senior Delhi Police officer has been removed from deployment at the Jantar Mantar protest site after a video allegedly showed him slapping a woman protester during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march held on July 20.
The officer, Sandeep Lamba, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East District), was seen in a video that circulated widely on social media during the protests demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 examination irregularities.
The Delhi Police have not publicly commented on whether the removal is linked to the incident.
Officer Removed After Assault Video
The alleged incident occurred when thousands of CJP supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar before marching towards Parliament despite police denying permission for the protest.
A video purportedly showed Lamba slapping a woman protester during the demonstration, drawing criticism from Opposition leaders and legal representatives.
Former Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale said he had filed a police complaint against the officer after the government informed the Delhi High Court that no FIR had been sought in connection with the alleged police excesses.
"I have filed a police complaint after the government's submission before the Delhi High Court," Saket Gokhale said in a post on X.
Delhi High Court Hears Pleas on Police Action
During proceedings before the Delhi High Court, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioners, referred to the video and alleged that excessive force had been used against protesters.
He argued that the woman was not posing any threat when the alleged assault occurred and questioned the police response during the demonstration.
The petitioners also alleged that tear gas shells were used without first attempting less severe crowd-control measures.
The Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued notices to the Delhi Police, the Central Government and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), seeking their responses.
The court directed authorities to preserve all relevant evidence, including CCTV footage and other video recordings related to the police action.
The Delhi High Court has directed authorities to preserve CCTV footage and other records related to the police action during the protest.
Fresh Clashes Leave Police Personnel and Protesters Injured
Fresh violence was reported near Sansad Marg on Wednesday evening. According to police, a police officer was chased and assaulted by a crowd near Park Hotel in central Delhi and sustained multiple head injuries after being struck with sticks.
Police said CJP volunteers later assisted officers in calming the crowd.
Additional DCP (New Delhi) Anand Mishra said at least five police personnel were injured after they were allegedly dragged and assaulted during the clashes. CJP volunteers, meanwhile, claimed that five protesters were also injured.
Background of the CJP Protest
The CJP organised the 'Chalo Sansad' march on July 20 to protest the alleged NEET-UG 2026 examination irregularities and demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Police used tear gas shells and batons after protesters attempted to march towards Parliament despite permission being denied for the demonstration.
Officials said several police personnel sustained injuries during attempts to prevent protesters from breaching barricades.
Following the protest, CJP representatives met Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and submitted a list of demands, including the resignation of the Education Minister.
CJP Movement Continues
The Cockroach Janta Party was launched in May by Abhijeet Dipke following public debate over remarks made by the Chief Justice of India. The organisation has since organised demonstrations seeking reforms in the education sector and action over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the movement with an indefinite hunger strike, is currently undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after being shifted from Safdarjung Hospital with the permission of the Delhi High Court.
The protests continue as legal proceedings, political reactions and security arrangements remain underway in the national capital.
