RAF Personnel Fired 7 Pellet Gun Rounds During CJP's Parliament March, 5 Struck Protesters: Report
RAF Personnel Fired 7 Pellet Gun Rounds During CJP's Parliament March, 5 Struck Protesters: Report Written By, Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 10:48 IST At
RAF Personnel Fired 7 Pellet Gun Rounds During CJP's Parliament March, 5 Struck Protesters: Report Written By, Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 10:48 IST At least three people were hospitalised after suffering pellet gun injuries during the protest march, including a 28-year-old journalist Rapid Read The findings are part of an internal probe ordered by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) into the crowd-control measures adopted during the protest. (PTI) A Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel fired seven rounds from a pellet gun during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest in Delhi on July 20, with five pellets hitting protesters, an internal inquiry has found, according to a report by The Indian Express. The newspaper reported that at least three protesters were treated at hospitals for pellet gun injuries sustained during the march, which had turned violent as demonstrators attempted to move towards Parliament. The findings are part of an internal probe ordered by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) into the crowd-control measures adopted during the protest.
According to The Indian Express, the inquiry found that the RAF constable fired seven rounds from a pellet gun after obtaining permission from his company commander. Five of the rounds reportedly struck protesters, while two did not hit anyone. The probe is also examining whether the use of the weapon complied with the force’s standard operating procedures. ALSO READ | Exclusive: Pellet Guns, Electric Shock Batons Banned In Delhi Protests After RAF Flags ‘Serious Lapses’ At least three people were hospitalised after suffering pellet gun injuries during the protest march. Those injured included 25-year-old Irshad Sheikh, who works in Gurugram, 19-year-old Delhi University student Sahil Lochab, and a 28-year-old journalist with Outlook magazine. The incident had triggered a political controversy after protesters alleged that pellet guns were used against students. Delhi Police had earlier denied the allegation, stating that it did not possess pellet guns and describing such claims as misleading. The CRPF, however, had clarified that the RAF, a specialised anti-riot unit under the force, is equipped with pellet guns for crowd-control situations and had ordered an internal investigation into their alleged use.
News18 had earlier reported that the RAF found instances of excessive use of force by its personnel during the July 20 protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, with its top leadership observing that some actions captured on social media were inconsistent with the force’s professional ethos and “cannot be justified under any circumstances". ALSO READ | RAF Manual Explained: Negotiations First, Pellet Guns Second-Last Resort During Riot Control According to the meeting proceedings, the headquarters examined videos circulated on social media that allegedly showed RAF personnel using force even after individuals had disengaged from the protest. The review noted instances where personnel were seen using force against people who had already moved away from the crowd, deliberately pushing individuals to the ground, and striking persons standing outside police barricades. The meeting also reminded officers that the prescribed Force Gradient and use-of-force protocols must be followed during every crowd-control operation, including issuing warnings before resorting to force and employing only authorised measures in a graduated manner.
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