Supreme Court Probes Delhi Police Over Pellet Gun Use in Protests

The Supreme Court of India is currently examining the legality and deployment of pellet guns by security forces during a recent demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The hearing follows a formal protest initiated by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), which alleges that the Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force used excessive force against protesters. At least ten individuals reportedly sustained serious injuries, including eye trauma and lacerations, attributed directly to the firing of these non-lethal, yet hazardous, crowd control munitions during the high-tension event in the capital.

The controversy stems from a shift in crowd control protocols where security agencies utilized pellet-firing pump action guns as a primary dispersal tool against a stationary gathering. Historically, these weapons have been subject to intense scrutiny for causing permanent physical damage, leading to restrictions in various jurisdictions across the country. The petitioners contend that the police failed to follow the standard operating procedures for the graded use of force, opting for high-impact projectiles instead of non-kinetic dispersal methods. This incident marks a significant deviation from conventional riot control practices employed within the metropolitan zone of Delhi.

The judiciary is now expected to demand a comprehensive response from the Delhi Police regarding the chain of command and the specific authorization behind the use of these weapons. Legal experts suggest that the court's stance may lead to a national policy review regarding the permissible use of pellet guns in public order scenarios. The outcome of these proceedings will likely influence future police reforms and the accountability frameworks for paramilitary and state security forces when engaging with peaceful or agitation-based assemblies across all major Indian cities.