Mumbai Police has suspended a police driver after a viral video allegedly showed him threatening student protesters with a false drug case if they participated in demonstrations again. The incident has sparked fresh scrutiny over the police’s handling of the ongoing protests linked to the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.
The video, shared by the Mumbai Congress on social media, appears to show a group of detained students inside a police van while a uniformed policeman warns them against returning to protest sites.
What the Viral Video Shows
In the video, the policeman is allegedly heard telling the students that they would face serious consequences if they joined future protests.
According to the footage, he warns:
“If you are seen again here, I will ruin your lives.”
He further allegedly threatens to implicate them in a false narcotics case, claiming he could plant 50 grams of powder in their bags, which would destroy their future.
The officer also reportedly tells the students that the protests had made his work more difficult.
Mumbai Police Orders Inquiry
Following the circulation of the video, Mumbai Police said it has initiated an inquiry to verify the authenticity and circumstances surrounding the incident.
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the police driver seen in uniform has been removed from his current posting. Authorities said further disciplinary action will depend on the findings of the inquiry.
Congress Criticises Police Action
Sharing the video, the Mumbai Congress alleged that the threats amounted to intimidation of peaceful protesters.
In a post on X, the party said that if the allegations are true, the incident represents not only an attempt to silence students but also an attack on democratic rights.
The party maintained that students’ concerns should be addressed through accountability rather than intimidation.
Police Tactics Under Spotlight
The controversy comes amid growing criticism of Mumbai Police’s methods to curb recurring student protests.
Several protesters have alleged receiving phone calls from local police stations asking them not to attend demonstrations. Some also claimed they were instructed to keep their WhatsApp live location enabled to confirm they remained at home.
In addition, notices under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were reportedly served digitally to individuals named in earlier FIRs or legal proceedings, directing them to appear for questioning regarding previous protest gatherings.
