Delhi High Court Upholds Police Official's Role in Probe Despite Viral Slapping Video
Justice Girish Kathpalia rejected a petition to remove Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba from an investigation into alleged police misconduct. The court ruled that separate allegations of force during a protest do not justify a presumption of bias in unrelated inquiries.
Judicial Rejection of Bias Claims Against Additional DCP
The Delhi High Court has denied a request to reassign a 2025 investigation into alleged police misconduct from Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba. The petitioner argued that Lamba was unfit for the role after video footage surfaced showing him allegedly striking a woman during the 'Chalo Sansad' march on July 20. Justice Girish Kathpalia, however, determined that one incident of alleged use of force does not automatically disqualify an officer from performing other duties or imply a permanent lack of impartiality.
The Conflict Between Public Order and Civil Rights
During the proceedings, Justice Kathpalia addressed the complexities of managing volatile crowds near government institutions. The judge noted that while the right to protest is protected, it does not permit actions that threaten the seat of sovereignty. In his analysis from the bench, Justice Kathpalia made several observations regarding the pressures faced by law enforcement:
- A single video clip is insufficient to broadly tarnish an officer's professional reputation without a full hearing.
- Security measures are frequently necessary to prevent escalating violence or unauthorized entry into Parliament.
- Allegations of excessive force in one scenario cannot be used to label an officer as biased in every subsequent matter.
Origins of the Complaint and Current Status
The legal challenge rose from a complaint filed by 68-year-old Zarnigar Fatima. She alleged that on the night of March 24, 2025, during Ramzan, police forcibly removed her from her home and detained her illegally at the Jafrabad police station. Her counsel, M. Sufian Siddiqui, argued that Lamba's recent conduct created a reasonable apprehension of bias, making an independent officer necessary for the inquiry.
The court ultimately found the petition to be moot. Counsel for the Delhi Police confirmed that the investigation into Fatima's claims is already finished. Investigators have recorded her statement and sent the file to the competent authority for a final ruling. Justice Kathpalia concluded that transferring the case now would effectively judge the officer's character without due process.
Source: The Hindu — News
