Pedestrian Opens Latch, Detained Students Escape from Police Van in Mumbai
In Mumbai's Chembur area, a police attempt to transport student protesters was interrupted when a pedestrian opened the latch of a police van, allowing several detained students to escape. The incident was captured on video and widely circulated.
The protest took place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Udyan Chowk, under the jurisdiction of the Chembur police station. Police said the demonstration violated prohibitory orders.
According to police, 700 to 800 protesters had gathered. Officers exercised restraint and persuaded the crowd to disperse. Around 200 individuals were identified and detained.
A viral video shows a man approaching a police van carrying detainees and opening the latch. Several students jump out and flee, while a young woman claps nearby.
Another viral video shows a young woman blocking a police vehicle and raising slogans. In the video, she says: 'I understand they are doing their job, but they are not doing it responsibly. If they don't behave responsibly, we must take responsibility for our citizens. What they did with students in Delhi was wrong, and they have to own up. We cannot go to Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign. If not, then he should go to Jantar Mantar and talk to students.'
The Mumbai police have registered 13 cases and booked 400 persons between July 18 and July 22 in connection with the ongoing protests, on charges of unlawful assembly and violation of prohibitory orders.
