Supreme Court Orders Medical Care for Protesters Amid Pellet Gun Wounds

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Delhi government to ensure immediate and comprehensive medical treatment for individuals injured during recent protests. The order comes after medical experts and international observers reported that several protesters sustained wounds consistent with the use of pellet guns. The court emphasized that the right to health and medical care is fundamental, regardless of the nature of the protest or the status of the individuals involved. This directive places a direct responsibility on state health facilities to provide specialized care for those suffering from deep-tissue injuries.

Controversy has intensified following reports from experts, including those cited by the BBC, who described the protesters' injuries as characteristic of non-lethal but high-impact ammunition. While security forces often classify pellet guns as a crowd-control measure, the severity of the wounds—frequently resulting in permanent disability or vision loss—has sparked widespread condemnation. In response to the growing row, the Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) addressed personnel, urging them to serve with dedication while the force's methods are under scrutiny. A petition to ban the use of such weapons is currently being considered by the judiciary.

The current legal battle revives a long-standing debate over police tactics in India, as internal documents reveal that government attempts to replace pellet guns with safer alternatives have languished for 15 years. Committees have repeatedly analyzed the issue, yet the transition to truly non-lethal options remains incomplete. The Supreme Court's current focus on medical treatment serves as a temporary humanitarian measure while the larger question of weapon legality is deliberated. For India, the outcome of this case will set a critical precedent for how security forces manage domestic dissent and the legal liabilities of the state in cases of excessive force.