Pawan Sangle, Sandeep Lamba, Sonia Sehrawat: Why 3 Security Personnel Are Facing Action Amid Protests

Last Updated:July 24, 2026, 12:53 IST

Mumbai Police constable Pawan Sangle, Delhi Police Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba and Rapid Action Force (RAF) Assistant Commandant Sonia Sehrawat are facing action.

The nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and related demands for accountability have drawn attention to the conduct of security personnel deployed to manage demonstrations. With social media videos from protests in Delhi as well as Mumbai going viral, some security personnel have come under the scanner.

In the span of just a few days, three officers from different security forces – Mumbai Police constable Pawan Sangle, Delhi Police Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba and Rapid Action Force (RAF) Assistant Commandant Sonia Sehrawat – have found themselves facing disciplinary action over separate incidents linked to the protests.

While each case is distinct, together they underscore how the actions of individual officers during high-pressure crowd-control situations are increasingly coming under public and institutional scrutiny.

Pawan Sangle: Suspended After Viral ‘Drug Case’ Threat

Mumbai Police constable Pawan Sangle was suspended after a video surfaced online showing him allegedly threatening student protesters with false narcotics charges if they continued demonstrating.

In the widely shared clip, Sangle is heard warning detained students that he could “plant" narcotics in their bags and ensure they spent the rest of their lives in jail. According to reports, he allegedly told them he would place “50-50 grams of powder" in their bags and frame them in a drug case if they returned to protest.

The remarks triggered widespread criticism on social media, with many questioning the misuse of police authority. Mumbai Police clarified that Sangle was attached to the Motor Transport unit as a driver and was not part of the city’s senior command structure. Nevertheless, he was immediately suspended and a departmental inquiry was initiated into the incident.

Sandeep Lamba: Removed From Protest Duty After Slap Video

In Delhi, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-East) Sandeep Lamba was removed from deployment at Jantar Mantar after a viral video appeared to show him slapping a woman protester during clashes at the “Sansad Chalo" demonstration.

The incident occurred as police attempted to control protesters marching towards Parliament. The video showed Lamba striking a woman amid the scuffle, prompting sharp criticism from opposition leaders and civil society groups.

Delhi Police acknowledged that the senior officer had “lost his cool" during the confrontation. While defending the broader police response by citing violence during the protest, the force shifted Lamba away from Jantar Mantar pending further examination of the incident. Reports said police leadership viewed the officer’s conduct as inconsistent with expected standards of crowd management.

The protest organisers also accused Lamba of using excessive force against demonstrators, allegations that added to the demand for disciplinary action.

Sonia Sehrawat: RAF Officer’s Social Media Activity Under Scrutiny

Unlike the previous two cases, the action against RAF Assistant Commandant Sonia Sehrawat does not stem from her conduct during crowd control itself, but from her activity on social media after the protest.

Sehrawat, who sustained injuries while leading RAF personnel during violent clashes at Jantar Mantar, became the focus of controversy after posts and interactions linked to her Instagram account went viral. The online activity included posts related to the protests and exchanges that were perceived by some as expressing views on an operational deployment.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), under which the RAF functions, will seek an explanation from Sehrawat over the social media activity, examining whether it violated service rules governing public conduct by uniformed personnel.

The controversy unfolded despite official accounts stating that Sehrawat had been injured while attempting to disperse violent protesters during the demonstration. Videos from the clashes showed RAF personnel confronting protesters amid stone-pelting and other violence, and authorities have maintained that multiple security personnel were injured during the operation.

Three Cases, One Theme

Although the allegations against the three officers vary considerably, each reflects a different aspect of accountability in modern policing.

Pawan Sangle is facing disciplinary proceedings over alleged intimidation and threats against student protesters. Sandeep Lamba has been removed from protest duty after a physical altercation with a demonstrator was captured on camera. Sonia Sehrawat, meanwhile, is under scrutiny over whether her post-protest social media activity breached the conduct expected of serving paramilitary officers.

Taken together, the three cases illustrate how law enforcement personnel are being held accountable not only for their actions during public demonstrations but also for their conduct before, during and after such operations.

About the Author

Pragati Ratti

Pragati is a News Editor at news18.com. Having headed the Business and Viral sections, Pragati now ideates, writes and edits long-form features and articles on national and global affairs. She ensures...Read More

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