‘They’ll put 50 grams of drugs in your pockets’: Mumbai cop suspended over protesters’ threat | Video | Today’s news
Mumbai Police has suspended a police driver after a video surfaced on social media showing him threatening students with fake drug cases if they return to the protest site, news agency PTI reported. “After verifying the facts, the driver in question has been removed from his current job pending the conclusion of the investigation,” the official said.
The financial capital witnessed protests in solidarity with the student agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in New Delhi. Demonstrations were held at various places, including Shivaji Park, Chaityabhoomi, Chembur and Shiv Sena Bhavan, although no permission was granted.
Cop threatens students with ‘fake drug case’
In the video, a police officer, identified as Pawan Sangle, is heard warning the students against participating in further protests, saying he would “ruin their lives” by implicating them in a “fake drug case”. He is also heard telling them that they would not be able to make bail and would have to “rot in jail”. Student protesters sitting in the back of the vehicle are seen smiling and giggling.
“If I see you again at a protest, no one will be worse than me. I will put 50 grams of powder (drugs) in your pockets. Then they will ruin your life. They will make sure that you do not get bail,” the policeman is heard saying.
Who is Pawan Sangle?
Pawan Sangle, a driver from the Motor Transport (MT) Department of the Mumbai Police, is currently attached to the Sion Police Station. He was deployed at Shivaji Park as part of a team accompanying senior officers during the protest.
A viral video recorded by one of the detained students in a police van after they were picked up from the protest site allegedly shows Sangle warning the students against participating in further demonstrations.
The Mumbai Police took serious notice of the video and ordered the department to investigate Sangle. During the investigation, he was taken to the police station and suspended from his duties.
Mumbai police registered 13 FIRs between July 18 and July 22 in connection with the ongoing protests on charges of illegal assembly and violation of prohibitions, booking 400 people, PTI reported.
Sharing the video on social media, the Mumbai Congress claimed that it was not just an attempt to intimidate students but a direct attack on “democratic rights”. “Raising your voice is not a crime. Students’ questions should be answered with responsibility, not threats,” the party said in a post on X.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also slammed the BJP over the incident and warned that its days are numbered. In a post targeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the party said: “In Delhi your government sent its goons to crush the demands of students and now in Maharashtra such a heinous act has taken place?”
