HC refuses to shift probe from officer seen ‘slapping’ woman
Delhi High Court refused to transfer an investigation into 2025 police excess allegations against Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba despite a video clip shown from the July 20 protest.
- A court may order transfer to ensure fairness, especially when bias or conflict of interest is alleged.
- A court can refuse transfer when allegations do not automatically show bias and do not justify moving the probe.
- A court may treat a short video clip as insufficient by itself to shift an investigation, without more supporting reasons.
- The Delhi High Court can decide whether an ongoing police probe should be shifted to a different agency or officer.
What happened
The Delhi High Court refused to transfer an investigation into allegations of police excesses connected to Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba. The case related to a 2025 probe, where a video clip was produced showing Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba allegedly slapping a woman during the July 20 protest. Justice Girish Kathpalia declined the request to shift the probe.
Background and earlier position
The Delhi High Court applied a restraint approach while refusing to shift a police investigation. The focus was on whether allegations from one incident automatically establish bias in unrelated handling of the probe, and what weight courts should give to a video clip at the stage of deciding transfer.
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