Maharashtra Congress Alleges Police Excesses Against Students, Seeks Release of Detainees and Probe into Crackdown

Mumbai, July 2026 : The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Thursday submitted a detailed memorandum to Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) Sadanand Date and Mumbai Police Commissioner, alleging widespread police excesses against students during recent protests over the alleged examination paper leak issue. The party accused the police of carrying out illegal detentions, violating the privacy of students, and using excessive force across Mumbai and other parts of the state.

A Congress delegation led by MPCC President Harshvardhan Sapkal, along with former minister Naseem Khan, MLA Bhai Jagtap and party office-bearer Dhananjay Shinde, met senior police officials and demanded immediate corrective action against what it described as an abuse of authority.

In its memorandum, the Congress sought the immediate and unconditional release of all students detained during the protests, withdrawal of what it termed “fabricated and retaliatory” First Information Reports (FIRs) registered between July 20 and July 22, and a high-level inquiry into the conduct of police personnel accused of violating legal procedures.

The party also called for the immediate suspension of officers allegedly involved in unauthorised searches of students’ mobile phones and unlawful detentions at their homes. It further demanded strict instructions to all police units to refrain from intimidating students or their families.

Addressing the media after meeting the officials, Sapkal alleged that hundreds of students aged between 16 and 30 years were targeted despite participating in peaceful demonstrations against alleged irregularities in the country’s examination system.

According to the Congress, between 500 and 700 students were detained by police from different parts of Mumbai, including metro stations, public roads, educational institutions and even their residences. The party claimed that many of those detained had not even reached the designated protest venue when they were taken into custody.

Sapkal maintained that no prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code were in force in Mumbai on July 22, making the police action legally questionable.

“Despite there being no prohibitory orders, students were detained merely on suspicion. False FIRs were registered against many of them at police stations including Shivaji Park, Dharavi and Chembur,” he alleged.

The memorandum also accused police personnel of violating citizens’ fundamental rights by allegedly inspecting students’ mobile phones without obtaining judicial authorisation or following due legal process.

According to the Congress, several students were allegedly compelled to unlock their phones and share their live locations with police officials, an act the party described as an invasion of privacy and a violation of constitutional protections.

The party claimed that between 200 and 300 students continued to remain in police custody at stations including Dharavi, Mahim, Juhu, Chembur and Dadar.

Sapkal said the Congress would strongly oppose any attempt to criminalise peaceful protest and warned that the party would launch a statewide agitation if the administration failed to address the matter promptly.

“Maharashtra is governed by the rule of law. Such police high-handedness cannot be tolerated. If immediate intervention does not take place, the Congress will stand firmly with the students and intensify its agitation across the state,” he said.

The memorandum emphasised that peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right guaranteed under the Constitution and warned that registering criminal cases against students could have long-term consequences for their education, employment prospects and overseas opportunities.

The Congress also expressed concern that several minors and women students were among those booked during the police action.

Criticising the conduct of law enforcement agencies, Sapkal alleged that instead of protecting citizens, the police had resorted to indiscriminate use of force.

“Students protesting against paper leak incidents have been treated like criminals. Police have allegedly resorted to indiscriminate lathi-charge against young students, including women, in an attempt to suppress their constitutional right to protest. This kind of ‘Police Raj’ has no place in a democratic society,” he said.

Sapkal further referred to a video that had recently surfaced on social media, claiming it raised serious questions about police conduct. He alleged that a police officer was seen threatening students with false drug-related cases and demanded the officer’s immediate dismissal, arrest and an independent investigation.

According to the Congress leader, both the Director General of Police and the Mumbai Police Commissioner assured the delegation that an inquiry into the allegations against the concerned officer was already underway.

He said the senior officials also assured the party that appropriate action would be taken based on the findings of the inquiry and that necessary instructions would be issued to all District Superintendents of Police across Maharashtra to ensure that lawful procedures are followed while dealing with student protests in the future.

The Congress maintained that safeguarding democratic rights and ensuring accountability in policing were essential to preserving public trust, particularly when dealing with young citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest.