RAF Orders Inquiry Into Alleged Pellet Gun Use During Delhi's 'Sansad Chalo' March
RAF Orders Inquiry Into Alleged Pellet Gun Use During Delhi's 'Sansad Chalo' March Published By, Last Updated: July 24, 2026, 17:48 IST The RAF has
RAF Orders Inquiry Into Alleged Pellet Gun Use During Delhi's 'Sansad Chalo' March Published By, Last Updated: July 24, 2026, 17:48 IST The RAF has launched an internal probe into allegations that its personnel used excessive force and fired pellet guns during the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march. Protests rage in the national capital over the NEET paper leak. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has initiated a probe into allegations of its personnel using disproportionate force and firing pellet guns during the July 20 “Sansad Chalo" march in Delhi, reported PTI on Friday, citing officials. According to the officials, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has asked the inspector general (IG) of the RAF, its special anti-riots unit, to verify the sequence of events its various teams undertook to “control" the protesters as well as incidents where they were attacked. The probe order came amid the ongoing row over allegations the RAF officials used a pellet gun on the protesting students during the march from Jantar Mantar on July 20 over NEET paper leak case.
Earlier in the day, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, also launched a scathing attack at the central government and questioned the usage of disproportionate force on the protesters. “The government is saying there is no use of pellet guns, but I can show you a victim here with me," he said, adding that the government was trying to suppress facts related to the crackdown on students. While the Delhi Police has denied possessing pellet guns and described reports suggesting otherwise as misleading, the CRPF and the RAF have not yet responded to allegations that RAF personnel fired pellet ammunition during the demonstration. RAF Reviews Viral Footage, Examines SOP Compliance As part of its internal inquiry, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) is scrutinising several videos and photographs shared online that allegedly capture its personnel during the July 20 “Sansad Chalo" protest in Delhi. The material under review reportedly includes visuals of RAF personnel in their distinctive blue camouflage uniforms using batons and firearms to disperse demonstrators.
Investigators are also examining footage that appears to show RAF jawans being encircled and assaulted by protesters during the clashes. “All legal procedures stipulated to check the conduct of the personnel during such operational duties will be followed," a senior officer of the force said. Officials said the RAF’s riot-control inventory includes 12-bore pump-action guns, widely known as pellet guns. Their deployment is governed by a strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which permits their use only when personnel face extreme circumstances, including a serious threat to their lives. The SOP further mandates that these weapons should be fitted with a deflector to reduce the impact of the pellets. It also specifies that, when fired, they should be aimed only below the waist to minimise the risk of severe injuries. Authorities said at least two students have been hospitalised with pellet injuries since the July 20 protest. The inquiry will also assess videos purportedly showing stranded RAF personnel being attacked by protesters. Other clips under examination include one in which an individual dressed in an RAF uniform appears to trip a protester running through the crowd, and another claiming that a stun gun was used against a demonstrator.
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