A petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court, seeking a ban on the use of pellet guns by law enforcement agencies aimed at dispersing crowds. The petitioners claim that the weapon is unconstitutional and causes significant harm to civilians. Two individuals, who allege they were victims of pellet gun firings by the Rapid Action Force (RAF), accompanied by a former Indian Police Service officer, filed the plea. They are also calling for compensation for those injured by pellet guns during crowd-control operations.

The petition asserts that pellet guns are “per se unfit” for managing peaceful assemblies, arguing that their use fails the constitutional tests of proportionality, necessity, and reasonableness. It contends that continued reliance on pellet guns contravenes constitutional protections and requests the Supreme Court to issue directives to permanently halt their use for civilian crowd management.

Incidents Leading to the Petition

This petition arises in the context of allegations that pellet guns were employed during protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) regarding purported irregularities in the NEET examination in Delhi. During the clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement personnel, multiple protesters claimed they sustained pellet injuries requiring medical attention. Some individuals also reported serious eye injuries and the risk of vision loss.

Officials from the Delhi Police and other verification agencies have denied the claims of pellet gun usage. However, an exclusive report from India Today Digital noted that protesters have provided medical records, eyewitness accounts, and testimonies as evidence supporting their allegations. The situation has sparked a political controversy, with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi accusing security forces of employing excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.

Gandhi has demanded accountability for those allegedly responsible for the violent incidents, calling for action against the officials involved and the resignation of the then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, amid the NEET controversy. The events surrounding these protests have become critical focal points in widespread national discontent, as opposition parties express ongoing concerns about alleged excessive use of force against students and seek an independent investigation into these occurrences.

Understanding Pellet Guns

Pellet guns are designed to shoot cartridges containing up to 600 metal or rubber pellets, dispersing them at speeds approaching 1,000 feet per second. The standard operating procedure stipulates that these weapons should be fired from a distance of at least 500 feet, with the muzzle aimed below the waist to reduce the likelihood of fatal injuries. Despite the existence of these guidelines, the usage of pellet guns remains contentious due to their potential to inflict serious injuries, particularly to the eyes, which can lead to permanent vision impairment or disabilities.

The introduction of pellet guns in India dates back to 2010, when they were first used in Jammu and Kashmir to manage violent protests, only to be discontinued by the state government later. However, they were reintroduced in July 2016 in response to widespread unrest following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani. Their deployment during recent protests has drawn extensive criticism from human rights organisations and civil society groups, given the high incidence of reported eye injuries.

The petition currently under consideration by the Supreme Court advocates for the complete cessation of pellet gun usage in civilian crowd management, highlighting the need for safer alternatives to maintain public order and protect civilians from unnecessary harm.

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