ADCP Sandeep Lamba removed from CJP protest duty after slapping video
Following videos allegedly showing Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East) Sandeep Lamba slapping a woman protester during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Sansad Chalo’ march at Jantar Mantar on 20 July sparked outrage on social media, the officer was removed from protest duty and directed to return to his district posting.
Lamba, a Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS) officer, was among the senior officers deployed during Monday’s clashes between protesters and Delhi Police after demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament. Videos circulating online appeared to show the officer striking a woman standing on the sidelines during the police action, drawing widespread criticism. The officer’s face and name tag are clearly visible in these viral videos.
Interestingly, in 2021, Lamba was awarded by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for ‘excellence in investigation’ concerning the Ankit Sharma murder case and the 2020 North-East Delhi riots.
Additionally, the Delhi High Court continued hearing petitions alleging police excesses during the July 20 crackdown. During Wednesday’s proceedings, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan referred to the viral footage and urged the court to hold the officer accountable.
“The video shows specifically ADCP Sandeep Lamba; that is his name, his badge is captured, slapping a woman who is standing on the side and doing nothing. Let’s not be scared to name our thugs in uniform when they deserve to be named. He should be summoned here and held accountable for his actions. It was completely unprovoked,” Sankaranarayanan submitted before the court.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale on Thursday said he had filed a complaint at Parliament Street police station seeking registration of an FIR against Lamba over the alleged assault.
