Mumbai Police Driver Suspended After Threatening Protestors with Fake Drug Charges

A video recorded inside a Mumbai police van showed driver Pawan Sangle threatening to plant 50 grams of powder in the pockets of student protestors, warning that they would face false drug charges if they returned. The footage went viral on social media, prompting outrage and condemnation from political figures and the public. On July 23, the Mumbai Police suspended Sangle and transferred him to the control room pending an inquiry. The incident occurred amid widespread student protests against the Union education minister, which have spread from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to cities such as Mumbai, Patna, Bangalore, Pune and Kolkata. Police officials announced that the driver has been removed from his posting until the investigation is completed.

The protests, organized by the Cockroach Janata Party, demand the minister’s resignation over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in the NEET examination. The viral video has intensified scrutiny of police conduct during the demonstrations.