Mumbai Police Launch Inquiry After Viral Video Allegedly Shows Officer Threatening Student Protesters
Mumbai Police Launch Inquiry After Viral Video Allegedly Shows Officer Threatening Student Protesters
Mumbai, July 23: Mumbai Police has ordered an inquiry after a viral video allegedly showed a police officer threatening detained student protesters with implicating them in a false narcotics case if they continued participating in demonstrations.
The video, widely circulated on social media, surfaced amid ongoing student protests over the alleged NEET examination paper leak. It has sparked political criticism and raised concerns over the conduct of law enforcement during the protests.
In the purported video, the officer is allegedly heard warning a group of detained students that if they returned to the protests, he would “plant 50 grams of powder” in their pockets, ensuring they would be arrested and denied bail. The officer is also heard making other remarks warning the students against participating in future demonstrations. The authenticity of the video and the alleged statements has not yet been independently verified.
The Congress party condemned the alleged remarks, stating that if the video is found to be genuine, it reflects an attempt to intimidate peaceful protesters and undermines democratic rights. The party said that citizens have the right to raise their voices and that public concerns should be addressed through accountability rather than threats.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal also criticised the alleged conduct of the officer, accusing the police of intimidating students by threatening to implicate them in fabricated drug-related cases. He described the alleged actions as a serious assault on democratic values.
Responding to the controversy, Mumbai Police said an internal inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the facts surrounding the viral clip.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Akbar Pathan said in an official statement that the department would verify the authenticity of the video and the circumstances in which it was recorded before deciding on any further action.
Police officials have not confirmed the identity of the officer seen in the video or whether the alleged remarks were made as claimed. They said any disciplinary or legal action would depend on the findings of the inquiry.
The incident has intensified political debate over the handling of student protests, with opposition leaders and activists demanding a fair investigation into the allegations.
