Supreme Court permits pellet guns in exceptional cases during Jantar Mantar protest hearing

The Supreme Court on Thursday said police forces can be permitted to use pellet guns in exceptional situations, even as it took up a plea seeking a complete ban on the use of metallic pellet guns to deal with law and order situations.

The observation came during hearings on a batch of petitions arising out of the July 20 Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak, during which several demonstrators sustained pellet injuries.

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The top court questioned one of the prayers sought in a plea filed by former Central Information Commissioner and retired IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad and two victims seeking a complete ban on use of metallic pellet guns to deal with law and order situations.

It referred to the advisory of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) and said police are empowered to use pellet guns in exceptional situations.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana took note of the submissions of senior advocate Vrinda Grover and asked the Delhi government to provide the best treatment to those who suffered pellet injuries during the NEET paper leak protest here.

The bench, however, said it was ready to examine the use of pellet guns in the July 20 protests called by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

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Taking note of the submissions of Grover, the bench asked the Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, to preserve the ammunition log of RAF (Rapid Action Force) deployed at Jantar Mantar during the protest.

Azad has approached the Supreme Court seeking a nationwide ban on the use of wholly or partly metallic pellet ammunition fired from pump-action or projectile action guns for dispersing civilian assemblies, contending that such weapons are inherently incompatible with constitutional standards governing the use of force.

The court directed the Delhi government to ensure that those who suffered pellet injuries during the protest receive the best possible medical treatment.

It also asked the Centre to preserve the ammunition log of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel who were deployed at Jantar Mantar during the students' protest, a move seen as significant given the fight over what force was actually used and on whose orders.

The case traces back to the July 20 "Sansad Chalo" march organised by the CJP, which drew thousands of students to central Delhi demanding the resignation of then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.



As protesters attempted to breach police barricades, the Delhi Police, assisted by the CRPF's RAF, resorted to tear gas shelling and lathi-charge, and several protesters alleged they were also fired upon with pellet guns, despite the Delhi Police's initial denial that such weapons were used.