Mumbai Cop Threatens to Plant Drugs on Students; Police Order Probe

Author: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit

The Mumbai Police on Thursday (July 23, 2026) ordered an inquiry and transferred a policeman from his current posting pending investigation, after a viral video surfaced showing the officer—a driver with the Mumbai Police—threatening protesting students.

The video, posted by the Congress party, prompted a delegation of Maharashtra Congress led by its president Harshawardhan Sapkal to meet Maharashtra Director General of Police Sadanand Date and Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, demanding action against the officer.

In a memorandum submitted to the police, the Congress also sought the immediate release of detained students in Mumbai, calling the pre-emptive detention of students "anti-democratic and illegal." The party alleged that the police had misused preventive orders to file false FIRs.

Video Shows Officer Threatening Youths

In the clip, a uniformed policeman is heard telling two youths:

"If I see you around here again, then it will not be good for you. I will directly plant 50 grams of powder. Then your life is gone. You won't get bail. We are in trouble because of you all. Don't come back."

The conversation took place inside a vehicle, with the policeman seated in the driver's seat. The two youths are seen recording the video and laughing.

The Hindu could not independently verify the authenticity of the clip, which was posted by Mumbai Congress.

Action Taken

The policeman was stationed at Sion Police Station until his removal, according to the State's Home Department.

"Mumbai Police has ordered an inquiry into the matter and action will be taken after verifying the facts. The driver has been removed from the place of his present posting till the completion of inquiry," a Mumbai Police official said.

Congress Alleges Illegal Detentions

The Congress memorandum described the police action against students over the preceding two days—particularly on July 20, 2026—as "highly anti-democratic and illegal."

Key allegations in the memorandum include:

• Mass detentions: Police allegedly detained 500 to 700 students across various parts of Mumbai on July 20.
• Pre-emptive arrests: Many students were picked up before reaching the main protest site, from metro stations, public roads, and directly from their homes.
• Lack of legal basis: Students were detained on July 22 on mere suspicion, without any Prohibitory Orders (Section 144) in force in Mumbai and without solid legal grounds.
• False cases: FIRs were registered against students at Shivaji Park, Dharavi, Chembur, and other police stations.
• Phone violations: Police officers allegedly accessed students' personal mobile phones without court orders or legal authority, and forced students to share live locations—a direct violation of fundamental rights.

The memorandum stated that at least 200 to 300 students remain detained in various police stations, including Dharavi, Mahim, Juhu, Chembur, and Dadar.

Congress Demands

The Congress party demanded:

• Immediate and unconditional release of all detained students.
• Withdrawal of false FIRs filed against students.
• Thorough investigation and immediate suspension of police officers who checked students' phones and made arrests in violation of the law.
• Withdrawal of all cases registered against students on July 20, 21, and 22.

"It is a fundamental right given by the Constitution to express our opposition peacefully and democratically. However, the police system is trying to destroy the future of students by treating them like criminals," the memorandum stated.