Supreme Court Orders Preservation Of RAF Logs In Pellet Gun Hearing

The Supreme Court has directed the Central government to preserve the ammunition logs of the Rapid Action Force personnel deployed during the Jantar Mantar protests. This order comes in response to pleas seeking a ban on the use of pellet guns for crowd dispersal in civilian assemblies. The bench emphasized that while such weapons are often categorized as non-lethal, their impact at close range can be devastating. By securing the logs, the court aims to establish an evidentiary trail regarding the scale and necessity of force used during recent demonstrations.

Petitioners, led by former IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad and victims of pellet injuries, argue that the use of metallic kinetic pellets fails the constitutional tests of necessity and proportionality. They highlighted the case of Sahil Lochab, who sustained a severe eye injury during the firing on July 20. The legal challenge cites United Nations guidelines, which caution against using projectile-activated metallic weapons on crowds. The court is now examining the internal protocols of law enforcement agencies to determine if exceptional situations justify such force against unarmed citizens.

The Supreme Court has also sought the standing order on the graded use of force used by Delhi Police and the RAF. This development has sparked reactions within the security establishment, with the CRPF chief recently urging troops to work fearlessly, promising to take responsibility for actions taken in the line of duty. For India, this case represents a critical juncture in balancing internal security needs with human rights protections. The final ruling could redefine the standard operating procedures for riot control and the deployment of less-lethal munitions nationwide.