The Mumbai Police on Thursday ordered a probe and removed a police driver from the duty roster after a viral video purportedly showed him threatening student protesters with false narcotics charges if they returned to demonstrate.
In the widely shared 25-second viral video, a police driver, identified as Pawan Sangle, is seen threatening detained youngsters that they would face fabricated drug cases if they participated in further protests.
"If I find you here again, I will put 50 grams of 'powder' in your pocket. You won't get bail, and your entire life will be ruined. We are facing a lot of difficulties because of you people," the driver in the video told the students.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also handles the Home portfolio, condemned the policeman's act, calling it "completely wrong". He added that immediate action has been taken against him and the matter is being investigated. As per senior police officials, an inquiry has been initiated into the matter, and the driver has been removed from his present posting until the completion of the inquiry.
READ HERE | Mumbai police under fire after cop caught on camera threatening protesters with fake drug case
Who is Pawan Sangle?
According to Mumbai media outlets, Pawan Sangle was attached to the Mumbai Police’s Motor Transport (MT) department. He was posted at the Sion police station and was deployed during Wednesday’s protest to drive the police vehicle transporting detained protesters.
He had no investigative responsibilities and was only tasked with driving the vehicle, the Mumbai Police reportedly underlined.
Several colleagues have found Sangle's behaviour problematic, Mid-Day said in a report. He often showed off and considered himself superior to civilians. Sangle was careful to never rub his seniors the wrong way and was cautious to look very humble in front of the Senior PI, ACP or DCP. But the moment he stepped out of their cabin, his real colours would show and his acts of entitlement popped out, Mid-Day quoted police personnel familiar with his antics as saying.
No criminal charges have been registered so far against Sangle, reports added.
