Meerut: Uttar Pradesh cadre IPS officer Avinash Pandey (IPS:2015:UP) has come under intense public and political scrutiny after videos purportedly showing him slapping protesters and a detained lawyer during a protest in Meerut went viral on social media.
The incident, linked to demonstrations over the murder of BA student Lalita Gautam, has triggered criticism from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad, who accused the Uttar Pradesh Police of using excessive force against protesters.
While the police have defended their action as necessary to maintain law and order, the controversy has placed the spotlight firmly on the officer’s career and service record.
Who Is IPS Avinash Pandey?
Mr Pandey is a 2015-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. A direct recruit through the UPSC Civil Services Examination, he has served in several important field and leadership positions across the state over the past decade.
Born on February 3, 1988, in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, he completed his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) before entering government service.
Prior to joining the IPS, Mr Pandey worked in the Income Tax Department and the Department of Posts before clearing the Civil Services Examination and joining the police service on September 7, 2015.
Career Across Uttar Pradesh
During his career, Mr Pandey has held a variety of operational assignments across Uttar Pradesh.
His district postings include:
- Kanpur
- Bareilly
- Mau
- Mainpuri
- Unnao
- Pilibhit
- Meerut
Before becoming the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Meerut, he had also served as SP (Rural), Meerut, SP (City), Ghaziabad, and held responsibilities during the Prayagraj Mahakumbh.
He later headed the 1st Battalion of the Special Security Force (SSF) in Lucknow.
According to his service record, he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) on January 1, 2026.
Recognition in Anti-Terror Operations
IPS Pandey came into the national spotlight following an anti-terror operation in Puranpur, Pilibhit, where three alleged Khalistani terrorists were killed in an encounter after they were accused of attacking a police outpost in Punjab with a grenade and fleeing to Uttar Pradesh.
The operation brought him significant recognition within the police establishment.
Awards and Honours
For his service, Mr Pandey has received the Director General’s Commendation Disc on two occasions:
- Silver Medal – August 15, 2022
- Gold Medal – January 26, 2025
The awards were conferred in recognition of his contributions to policing and law enforcement.
Meerut Murder Case Sparks Protest
The present controversy arose following the murder of Lalita Gautam, a BA student who had gone missing after leaving for an examination.
Her body was recovered from a sugarcane field under the jurisdiction of Rohta Police Station on May 17. Although police arrested the prime accused, the victim’s family and members of the Dalit community demanded action against the accused’s entire family and other alleged co-accused.
On Wednesday, a large number of protesters, including villagers, women, lawyers, and members of political and social organisations, gathered outside the Meerut Collectorate, blocking the road and demanding justice.
Viral Video Triggers Political Row
As the protest intensified, police attempted to persuade demonstrators to clear the road. According to officials, repeated appeals failed, after which the police used what they described as minimum force to disperse the crowd.
During the operation, lawyer Ravi Gautam was detained and placed inside a police vehicle. Shortly thereafter, videos surfaced allegedly showing SSP Avinash Pandey entering the police van and slapping the detained lawyer multiple times. Other clips also appeared to show him striking protesters outside the vehicle.
The videos quickly went viral, prompting widespread criticism on social media.
Akhilesh Yadav and Chandrashekhar Azad Criticise Police Action
The incident drew sharp reactions from opposition leaders.
Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP government of allowing police excesses, while Chandrashekhar Azad alleged that Dalit families were unable to secure justice under the current administration.
Azad announced his intention to visit Meerut and participate in protests demanding justice for the victim’s family.
Police Defend Their Action
The Meerut Police have defended the operation, stating that the protest was no longer confined to demands for justice but had turned into an unlawful road blockade that severely disrupted traffic near the Collectorate.
According to the police, despite earlier interactions with the victim’s family, certain “external and unruly elements” allegedly incited the protesters and encouraged them to block the road.
The department said force was used only after repeated requests to vacate the road failed.
SSP Claims Protest Was Part of a Larger Conspiracy
Following the controversy, SSP Avinash Pandey alleged that the protest had been orchestrated to create unrest rather than seek justice.
He claimed that Digvijay Singh Bhati, National President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ambedkar faction), was behind the mobilisation and alleged that Bhati already faces multiple criminal cases.
Pandey further alleged that lawyer Ravi Gautam from Noida, against whom he claimed several criminal cases are registered, was also involved.
— MEERUT POLICE (@meerutpolice) July 8, 2026
According to the SSP, investigations suggest that some villagers who joined the protest were unaware of the actual purpose of the demonstration and that attempts were made to give the issue a caste-based dimension.
Investigation Continues Amid Public Debate
The controversy has intensified public debate over the use of force by police during protests, even as the investigation into Lalita Gautam’s murder continues.
While political parties have demanded accountability for the police action, the Uttar Pradesh Police maintain that their priority was restoring law and order after the road blockade disrupted public movement.
The incident has placed IPS officer Avinash Pandey at the centre of a high-profile political and administrative controversy, with both his policing record and his handling of the protest coming under close public scrutiny.
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