NEW DELHI — A 32-second video clip that exploded across social media platforms Tuesday evening has triggered swift action against a Delhi Police sub-inspector caught on camera allegedly slapping a young woman student during clashes at Jantar Mantar. The officer, identified as Sub-Inspector Rajesh Kumar (badge no. D/4521), posted at Parliament Street police station, was relieved of field duty within hours of the video going viral.

The incident occurred around 4:15 PM Tuesday when protesters attempted to breach the middle cordon barricades on Sansad Marg. In the melee, the video shows SI Rajesh Kumar striking a woman protester — later identified as Anjali Mehta, 21, a Delhi University student — across the face. She falls back, is caught by fellow protesters, and the officer is seen being pulled away by colleagues.

📹 The Viral Video: What It Shows

Duration: 32 seconds | Source: Protester's phone camera | First posted: Tuesday, 4:47 PM on X (formerly Twitter)

Key frames: (0:05) Protesters pushing against barricades | (0:12) SI Rajesh Kumar steps forward, raises right hand | (0:14) Open-handed strike to woman's face | (0:16) Woman falls backward | (0:18) Fellow protesters catch her, shout "Sharm karo!" | (0:22) Senior officer pulls SI away | (0:30) Woman helped to medical tent

Delhi Press Post has verified the video's metadata (timestamp, location) but not the identity of the filmer. The video has been submitted as evidence to the inquiry officer.

Immediate Police Action

Within two hours of the video surfacing, DCP (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla issued an order:

📋 DCP Order No. 452/2026 (Dated July 22, 2026)

  • Sub-Inspector Rajesh Kumar (D/4521), PS Parliament Street — immediately relieved from field duty at Jantar Mantar protest site
  • Attached to: New Delhi District Lines (administrative posting, no field duties)
  • Departmental Inquiry Ordered: Under Rule 14(1) of Delhi Police (Conduct) Rules, 1980
  • Inquiry Officer: ACP (HQ) New Delhi, Sh. Vikram Singh
  • Timeframe: Report to be submitted within 7 working days (by August 1, 2026)
  • Charges to be examined: Violation of Standing Order 303 (Use of Force), Conduct Rule 3(1)(i) (unbecoming conduct), possible criminal assault under BNS Section 115
"The video is disturbing. It appears to show disproportionate force against a woman protester who was not posing an imminent threat. We have acted swiftly — the officer is off the ground, an inquiry is underway. But let me also say: the full context matters. The inquiry will examine what preceded the 32 seconds captured. Justice must be fair to all sides." — Devesh Kumar Mahla, DCP (New Delhi)

The Officer's Record

SI Rajesh Kumar, 38, joined Delhi Police in 2012. His service record shows:

  • 2012-2016: Constable, South East District — clean record
  • 2016-2019: Head Constable, Traffic Unit — 2 commendations for accident response
  • 2019: Promoted to ASI via departmental exam
  • 2021: Promoted to SI, posted to Parliament Street PS
  • 2022: One minor penalty (censure) for "delay in registering FIR" — closed with warning
  • 2023-2025: No adverse entries; handled VIP security duties during G20, Republic Day

Colleagues describe him as "tense but professional" during the three-day protest deployment. "He'd been on 14-hour shifts since Monday. Sleep-deprived, constant stone-pelting, abuse from protesters. Not an excuse — just context," said a fellow SI requesting anonymity.

The Victim's Account

Anjali Mehta, 21, BA (Hons) Political Science, Miranda House, was treated at the protest site's medical tent for facial swelling and a minor laceration inside her lip. She gave a statement to the inquiry officer Wednesday morning:

"I was shouting slogans, pushing forward with everyone else. Suddenly a hand came out of nowhere — hard, open palm, right across my face. I didn't see who. I fell back. My friends caught me. I didn't throw anything, I didn't hit anyone. I was just standing there. Why did he hit me? Because I'm a woman? Because I was at the front? I want him suspended. Not 'attached to lines.' Suspended." — Anjali Mehta, student protester (statement to inquiry officer)

Her parents, who arrived from Ghaziabad Wednesday morning, have demanded criminal prosecution under BNS Section 115 (voluntarily causing hurt) and Section 74 (assault on woman with intent to outrage modesty).

Legal Experts Weigh In

Former Delhi High Court judge Justice (Retd.) R.S. Sodhi: "Departmental inquiry is administrative. If the video shows prima facie assault, an FIR should have been registered immediately under BNS 115/74. Police cannot investigate their own in criminal matters — that's Supreme Court law (Prakash Singh vs Union of India). The victim can approach a magistrate under Section 175 BNSS for direct FIR."

Senior advocate Rebecca John: "The 'attached to lines' move is standard police protection. It removes the officer from public contact but preserves his salary and pension. Suspension under Rule 10 would be stronger — but even that's administrative. The real test: will an FIR be registered? Will the inquiry be time-bound and public?"

Protesters' Demands Escalate

The joint student action committee has added a sixth demand to their charter:

  1. CBI Investigation into paper leaks
  2. Education Minister's resignation
  3. Re-examination within 60 days
  4. Action against NTA/SSC officials
  5. Compensation for affected aspirants
  6. NEW: Suspension and criminal prosecution of SI Rajesh Kumar

"One officer slapped a woman on camera. Imagine what happens off-camera. This is the culture of impunity," said AISA's Kawalpreet Kaur at a press conference Wednesday.

Police Union Reaction

Delhi Police Welfare Association (DPWA) president Inspector Rajpal Singh issued a statement: "We condemn any misuse of force. But we also condemn trial by social media. The officer has been denied the presumption of innocence. The video doesn't show the 10 minutes before — the brick-throwing, the abuse, the physical assault on police. We demand a fair inquiry, not media conviction."

What Happens Next

  • Today-Thursday: Inquiry officer records statements of SI Kumar, Anjali Mehta, eyewitnesses, fellow officers
  • Friday: Medical reports, video forensics (frame-by-frame analysis) submitted
  • July 28-30: Inquiry report finalized; DCP decides: exonerate, minor penalty, major penalty (reduction in rank/pay), or recommend criminal FIR
  • Parallel track: Anjali Mehta's family may approach Duty Magistrate for FIR under Section 175 BNSS
  • National Human Rights Commission: May take suo motu cognizance given viral nature

For now, SI Rajesh Kumar sits in the District Lines office, filling administrative forms, away from the protest frontline he patrolled for three days. The inquiry will determine whether those 32 seconds end his 14-year career — or become a footnote in a long service record.