Shot in the face, Delhi protest victim moves Supreme Court seeking pellet ban
Days after protesters suffered pellet injuries during the July 20 "Sansad Chalo" march in New Delhi, the issue has landed before the Supreme Court. A
Days after protesters suffered pellet injuries during the July 20 "Sansad Chalo" march in New Delhi, the issue has landed before the Supreme Court. A public interest litigation (PIL) seeks directions to ban the use of wholly or partly metallic pellets fired from pump action rifles or projectile action guns by law enforcement agencies for dispersing civilian assemblies. The petition, dated July 27, 2026, also seeks compensation, medical treatment and rehabilitation for those who were injured during the July 20 "Sansad Chalo" march in New Delhi organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Read Full Story The petition, under Article 32 of the Constitution, has been filed by former IPS officer and former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau Yashovardhan Azad, along with two reportedly injured victims of pellet gun injuries, Prashant Kumar Singh and Sheikh Irshad Mansoori. The petition is against the Union of India through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Inspector General of Police, Rapid Action Force (RAF). The PIL states that Azad is a recipient of the President's Medal and Police Medal, while Singh and Mansoori are among those who reportedly have sustained pellet injuries during the July 20 protest.
According to the petition, the Delhi Police had sought the assistance of the CRPF's Rapid Action Force during the "Sansad Chalo" march organised by the CJP over NEET paper leaks. The PIL alleges that around 4–4.30 pm, police and RAF personnel fired tear gas shells, resorted to a lathi charge and pushed protesters towards Connaught Place's inner circle. It further claims that no water cannons were used, and no announcements were made before the force was escalated. The petition alleges that while protesters were retreating, with many raising their hands in what it describes as a "surrender" posture, RAF personnel fired pump action guns that discharged a wide spray of "splinter-like pellets", injuring Petitioners No. 2 and 3. The PIL says the two petitioners were taken to Lady Hardinge Medical College, where they underwent treatment, including surgical procedures to remove pellets lodged "deep inside their bodies". It claims that at least one other person with pellet injuries was also brought to the hospital and that both petitioners continue to undergo treatment, with some pellets still embedded in their bodies despite being discharged. The petition further states that between July 21 and July 25, photographs, videos and media reports documented at least four people suffering injuries allegedly caused by metallic pellets fired during the protest.
The BriefWire