'Vague, Does Not Challenge Regulation': Supreme Court On Plea Seeking Ban On Use Of Pellet Guns For Crowd Control

Published 30 July 2026 · local

'Vague, Does Not Challenge Regulation': Supreme Court On Plea Seeking Ban On Use Of Pellet Guns For Crowd Control Published By, Last Updated: July 30

'Vague, Does Not Challenge Regulation': Supreme Court On Plea Seeking Ban On Use Of Pellet Guns For Crowd Control Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 13:12 IST The top court also directed the Delhi government to provide adequate medical care to all the protesters who sustained pellet injuries during the CJP's Jantar Mantar protests. Visuals of the CJP protests at Jantar Mantar. (Source: PTI) The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned a plea seeking a nationwide ban on the use of pellet guns for crowd control, orally observing that the petition was “vague" as it did not challenge the police regulations that permit the use of such weapons in certain situations. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was hearing a petition filed by former IPS officer and e Central Information Commissioner Yashovardhan Azad, along with two persons who claim they suffered pellet injuries during the July 20 “Sansad Chalo" protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak. During the hearing, senior advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for the petitioners, argued that Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel had used metallic pellets, which were later recovered from the bodies of the injured protesters. “I am not saying pellet guns should not be in the armoury of the RAF or not. Here it is different. They have used metallic pellets…" Grover submitted. Justice Joymalya Bagchi, however, pointed out that the relief seeking a blanket ban on pellet guns could not be examined without challenging the regulations that authorise their use. The judge observed that police regulations permit the use of pellet guns in “exceptional circumstances", adding that the first prayer in the petition was “vague" as it “does not challenge the regulation." Also Read: ‘In Exceptional Circumstances’: SC’s Remark On Police Use Of Pellet Guns During Violent Protests ‘Not Averse To Examining Use Of Pellets’ The bench clarified that while it was willing to scrutinise the alleged use of pellet guns during the July 20 protest, the petitioners would first have to establish whether the deployment of such weapons was permissible under the police’s “graded response" framework.

“We are not averse to examining use of pellets in a particular incident," Justice Bagchi said, adding that the petitioners must demonstrate whether their use complied with the graded approach prescribed for law enforcement. Grover responded by narrowing the scope of the challenge, saying the petition was confined to the use of metallic pellets and not pellet guns in general. She also told the court that obtaining the relevant guidelines had been difficult, stating that the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) document relied upon by the petitioners had been procured through a Right to Information (RTI) application. “There is no standing order of the Delhi police which permits the use of pellets. That is why my difficulty arises, and I have to rely on BPRD. If there is such a standing order, the Union may place it on record. I am sure the Union and the Delhi police do not wish to fire pellets on innocent youngsters," Grover submitted. Also Read: ‘Work Fearlessly, I’ll Take Responsibility’: CRPF Chief’s Big Message To Police Personnel Amid Pellet Gun Row She further asserted, “I could not find any such standing order of the Delhi police at all," urging the court to direct the Centre to disclose whether any such instruction existed. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, assured the bench that he would assist the court in placing the necessary material on record. Provide Medical Care To Those Injured By Pellet Guns: SC To Delhi Govt The bench orally directed the Solicitor General to ensure that appropriate medical treatment was provided to the injured petitioners. It also directed the Delhi government to provide adequate medical care to all similarly placed persons who sustained pellet injuries.