'Disgusting': CJP Reacts To Supreme Court's Observation On Pellet Guns For Crowd Control

Published 30 July 2026 · local

'Disgusting': CJP Reacts To Supreme Court's Observation On Pellet Guns For Crowd Control Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 15:52 IST A Supreme Court

'Disgusting': CJP Reacts To Supreme Court's Observation On Pellet Guns For Crowd Control Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 15:52 IST A Supreme Court bench of Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana observed that the police were empowered to use pellet guns in exceptional circumstances. The Rapid Action Force has been accused of using pellet guns against student protests in Delhi. Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) member Saurav Das slammed the Supreme Court’s observation on a plea seeking a nationwide ban on the use of pellet guns for crowd control, calling it “disgusting". While hearing a plea 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, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana observed that the police were empowered to use pellet guns in exceptional circumstances.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi said a blanket ban on pellet guns could be given without challenging the regulations that authorise their use. He observed that police regulations permit the use of pellet guns in “exceptional circumstances". Reacting to the observation, CJP’s Saurav Das called it “disgusting" in an X post. What Did The Supreme Court Say? The Supreme Court passed an interim order directing the Delhi Government to ensure that injured protesters are given adequate medical treatment. The petition by Yashovardhan Azad and two other persons stated that they were victims of pellets fired by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) during the July 20 march. However, Justice Bagchi remarked that police regulations allow the use of pellet guns in exceptional circumstances, and the reliefs cannot be granted without challenging the validity of those regulations. Advocate Vrinda Grover, representing the petitioners, said, “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." However, Justice Bagchi said the relief will be vague unless the regulations are challenged. Justice Bagchi further said a protest may turn violent at any point, perhaps due to infiltration of anti-social elements, and “graded responses" of the law enforcement might be sometimes necessary. The bench orally directed the Solicitor General to ensure that appropriate medical treatment was provided to the injured petitioners. The use of pellets by security forces during the operation had become a major political flashpoint after reports claimed that several protesters had sustained grievous injuries during the “Sansad Chalo" march organised by the CJP on July 20. According to Delhi Police, more than 65 protesters and over 200 police personnel were injured in the unrest. The alleged use of plastic pellets by security forces during the operation later became a major political flashpoint after reports claimed that several protesters had sustained grievous injuries.