Delhi HC Refuses to Remove ADCP Sandeep Lamba from Probe Despite CJP Slap Video

Court says viral slap video does not warrant removing officer from older inquiry

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to transfer a 2025 illegal-detention inquiry away from Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East) Sandeep Lamba, despite a widely circulated video showing him allegedly slapping a female protester during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demonstration at Jantar Mantar on 20 July 2026.

Justice Girish Kathpalia, hearing a petition by a 68-year-old woman who sought to remove Lamba from supervising the probe into her own complaint of illegal detention, observed that the viral footage alone was insufficient to establish bias.

“Just because he was caught in some video allegedly slapping a lady, we cannot tarnish him. Are we aware of the ground realities? How the crowd would have entered the parliament and firing would have started and so many would have died?” the judge remarked.

The petitioner had argued that Lamba’s conduct at the CJP protest raised “grave apprehension of bias” and sought a transfer of the inquiry to another officer. Her counsel submitted that Lamba was “violating a woman” by slapping her in broad daylight while in uniform, and that administrative action had already been taken against him.

Justice Kathpalia declined, stating:

“The fundamental right to protest is there but it does not extend to damaging the seat of sovereignty. How he has tackled the crowd – even if it was a case of overuse of power – he cannot be tarnished like this. He is also entitled to fair trial and enquiry. Does that mean in every case he will be biased? You have to be very fair. Stop discrediting the institution.”

Delhi Police informed the court that the inquiry into the 68-year-old woman’s complaint had already been completed and her statement recorded on 13 July 2026.

What we can verify

• HC order date: 28 July 2026 (Tuesday), Bench of Justice Girish Kathpalia.
• Petitioner: A 68-year-old woman seeking transfer of a 2025 illegal-detention probe from ADCP Sandeep Lamba.
• Judicial remarks: Justice Kathpalia said the viral slap video alone cannot tarnish the officer; “He cannot be tarnished like this… Stop discrediting the institution.”
• Police submission: Delhi Police told the court the inquiry was already completed and the petitioner’s statement recorded on 13 July 2026.
• Prior administrative action: On 22 July 2026, Delhi Police removed Lamba from the Jantar Mantar protest site and directed him to report to his station of posting after the slap video went viral (reported by The Indian Express).

What remains unverified

• The exact sequence of events immediately before the slap (whether any verbal exchange or physical provocation occurred off-camera); the available clips start at the moment of contact [unverified].
• Whether any departmental inquiry or disciplinary proceeding beyond the removal from the protest site has been initiated against Lamba [unverified].
• The identity of the woman slapped; she has not been named in public reports [unverified].
• Whether the 2025 illegal-detention complaint itself has merit — the court only ruled on the transfer request, not the underlying complaint [unverified].