Mumbai Police clarify viral video allegedly involving officer mishandling woman at NEET protest

Mumbai: A day after facing criticism over a police driver's alleged threat to implicate student protesters in false drug cases, the Mumbai Police landed in another controversy on Friday after a viral video showed a plainclothes police officer allegedly handling a woman protester inappropriately during a demonstration against the alleged NEET paper leak.Police Reject Allegations, Say Incident Was 'Irresponsibly Misinterpreted'The video triggered outrage among Opposition leaders and social media users, who accused the officer of outraging the woman's modesty and demanded immediate disciplinary and legal action. However, the Mumbai Police rejected the allegations, insisting that the incident had been "irresponsibly misinterpreted."Ma’am, please note, this is being irresponsibly misinterpreted- the official, while managing law & order there, was trying to hold on to a male protestor when a lady unknowingly stepped in between, while he was looking away- Being a public figure, you are expected to verify… https://t.co/xwVqirsYf1— मुंबई पोलीस Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) July 24, 2026In a post on X, the Mumbai Police said the officer was attempting to restrain a male protester when the woman inadvertently came between them."As a renowned individual, it is expected of you to verify the facts before drawing any conclusions based on a video. The senior officers have confirmed all the facts," the police said.Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Akbar Pathan said senior officers had thoroughly examined the footage and found that the officer was focused on restraining a male protester and was looking away when the woman stepped into his path. He added that no offence has been registered in connection with the incident.The controversy erupted during a protest at Shivaji Park in Dadar, where students and activists had gathered to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Police later dispersed the demonstrators.Lawyers Including Satish Maneshinde Offer Free Legal Aid To Students Facing Police Action Over NEET Protest In MumbaiReacting strongly, Mumbai Congress president and Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaikwad questioned why male police personnel were deployed to handle women protesters instead of women constables.विद्यार्थ्यांच्या पाठीशी ठाम उभे राहूया! काल पंतप्रधानांनी एक व्हिडिओ प्रसिद्ध केला. मात्र, विद्यार्थ्यांच्या मूलभूत मागण्यांबाबत कोणतीही ठोस घोषणा त्यात नव्हती. त्यामुळे विद्यार्थ्यांचा संघर्ष अजूनही सुरू आहे.विद्यार्थ्यांची स्पष्ट मागणी आहे की पेपरफुटी प्रकरणातील… pic.twitter.com/iUYEEqyFDe— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) July 24, 2026"What happened to a young woman during the protest in Mumbai is deeply painful. It is not right to speak of 'Ladki Bahin' and then treat young women in this manner. It is shameful that women are allegedly being mistreated in the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. False cases are being filed against students, and they are being threatened," Gaikwad posted on X, while also criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent over the police action against students.NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar demanded the immediate suspension and arrest of the officer seen in the video.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police on Thursday issued a clarification regarding a viral video that allegedly showed a police officer mishandling a female protester during a protest at Dadar, stating that the incident was being "irresponsibly misinterpreted."महोदय, सदर व्हिडिओमार्फत आमच्या कर्मचाऱ्याच्या वर्तनाचा अत्यंत बेजबाबदारपणे चुकीचा अर्थ लावला जात आहे. जेव्हा सदर अधिकारी एका पुरुष आंदोलकाला पकडून दुसऱ्या दिशेला पाहत होता, तेव्हा एक महिला आंदोलक नकळतपणे मध्ये आली.एक प्रथितयश व्यक्ती म्हणून, तुम्ही एखाद्या व्हिडिओच्या आधारे… https://t.co/sC76sMbKEW— मुंबई पोलीस Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) July 24, 2026 In an official statement shared with the media, the police said the officer was attempting to restrain a male protester when a woman stepped into the situation while the officer was looking away."The video in reference is being irresponsibly misinterpreted. The official was trying to hold on to a male protester, and a lady stepped in while he was looking away," the statement said.Ma’am, please note, this is being irresponsibly misinterpreted- the official, while managing law & order there, was trying to hold on to a male protestor when a lady unknowingly stepped in between, while he was looking away- Being a public figure, you are expected to verify… https://t.co/xwVqirsYf1— मुंबई पोलीस Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) July 24, 2026 Uddhav-Raj Thackeray Call Joint March In Mumbai's Dadar On July 26, Seek Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation Over NEET Row The police further stated that senior officers had verified the facts and conducted a detailed assessment of the video before arriving at their conclusion."Senior officers have verified all the facts and minutely assessed the video to derive the facts," the statement added.Massive Student-Led Protests Over NEET Paper Leak Erupt In Mumbai For The Third Consecutive Day As Over 5,000 Hit Streets Of Dadar & Chembur; Around 400 Detained The clarification was issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mumbai Police, amid social media discussions over the viral footage. The police have maintained that the incident has been taken out of context and appealed for responsible interpretation of the video.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/