Key Highlights

• The Delhi High Court dismissed a plea seeking the transfer of an inquiry being conducted by Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba.
• The petitioner argued that a viral video allegedly showing the officer slapping a woman protester raised concerns about his impartiality.
• The court said the video alone could not be used to presume bias or tarnish the officer's reputation.
• Delhi Police informed the court that the inquiry had already been completed and forwarded to the competent authority.
• The petition was dismissed after the court held that no further relief remained to be considered.

High Court Declines to Transfer Inquiry

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition seeking the transfer of an inquiry conducted by Sandeep Lamba, observing that allegations arising from a separate incident could not automatically establish bias.

The matter was heard by Girish Kathpalia, who questioned whether an officer's reputation could be damaged solely on the basis of a viral video allegedly showing him slapping a woman protester during a demonstration.

The court observed that the circumstances surrounding large public protests are often complex and that conclusions should not be drawn without due process.

Background of the Petition

The petition was filed by a 68-year-old woman, who alleged that she had been forcibly taken from her residence during Ramadan in 2025 and illegally detained overnight by the police.

She claimed she had lost confidence in Lamba's ability to conduct an impartial inquiry into her complaint.

According to the petitioner, the High Court had earlier directed an independent inquiry and preservation of CCTV footage from the police station where she was allegedly detained.

She further alleged that an earlier communication indicated the inquiry would be closed without recording her statement. Following court directions, her statement was subsequently recorded on July 13.

Reference to Jantar Mantar Protest

During the proceedings, the petitioner relied on reports and a viral video that allegedly showed Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba slapping a woman protester during the Jantar Mantar demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party> (CJP).

The petitioner argued that the incident created a reasonable apprehension of bias and sought the transfer of the inquiry to another senior police officer.

Her counsel submitted that the officer's alleged conduct raised concerns about his impartiality while investigating complaints involving women.

Court's Observations

The High Court, however, observed that allegations arising from another incident could not automatically lead to the conclusion that the officer would be biased in every matter assigned to him.

The court also noted that while the right to peaceful protest is protected, authorities are often required to manage difficult law-and-order situations during large demonstrations.

Justice Kathpalia emphasized that an officer is also entitled to a fair inquiry and that institutions should not be discredited without sufficient grounds.

Delhi Police's Submission

During the hearing, Delhi Police informed the court that:

• The inquiry into the petitioner's complaint had already been completed.
• Her statement had been recorded.
• The inquiry report had been forwarded to the competent authority.
• The final decision would be communicated to the petitioner.

Taking note of these submissions, the court held that the petition had become infructuous and dismissed it.

Why This Matters

The case highlights the legal principles governing allegations of bias in administrative inquiries. Courts generally require specific evidence showing that an inquiry officer cannot act impartially, rather than relying solely on unrelated allegations or separate proceedings. The judgment also underscores that disciplinary or administrative issues involving public officials are distinct from the fairness of inquiries they conduct unless a direct connection is established.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did the Delhi High Court dismiss the petition?

The court held that the inquiry had already been completed and that allegations from a separate incident could not, by themselves, establish bias on the part of the inquiry officer.

Who filed the petition?

A 68-year-old woman who alleged illegal detention by police sought the transfer of the inquiry into her complaint.

Why was Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba questioned?

The petitioner referred to a viral video that allegedly showed him slapping a woman protester during the Jantar Mantar demonstration and argued that it raised concerns about his impartiality.

What did Delhi Police tell the court?

Delhi Police informed the court that the inquiry had been completed, the petitioner's statement had been recorded and the report had been submitted to the competent authority.

Did the court rule on the allegations in the viral video?

No. The court's observations were limited to whether those allegations justified transferring the inquiry. It did not determine the merits of the allegations arising from the separate protest-related incident.