Probe Confirms Pellet Gun Rounds Were Fired In Delhi Protest

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI-An internal Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) probe has concluded that a Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel used a pellet gun seven times during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) July 20 march toward Parliament. Five of those rounds struck protesters, The Indian Express reported.

The personnel fired the rounds after obtaining permission from his company commander. The inquiry is also examining whether the weapon was used in accordance with the RAF’s standard operating procedures.

The march, which began at Jantar Mantar, turned violent as protesters attempted to move toward Parliament. At least three people were hospitalized with pellet injuries, including Irshad Sheikh, 25, who works in Gurugram, 19-year-old Delhi University student Sahil Lochab, and a 28-year-old journalist with Outlook magazine.

The CRPF ordered the inquiry after allegations surfaced that pellet guns had been used during the demonstration. Protesters alleged that students were targeted, while Delhi Police denied the claim, saying it neither possesses pellet guns nor used them during the protest. The CRPF later clarified that the RAF, its specialized anti-riot unit, is equipped with pellet guns for crowd-control situations and had initiated an internal investigation into their alleged use.

Separately, News18 reported that another internal RAF review found instances of excessive force by some personnel during the July 20 protest. According to the channel, senior officials concluded that some actions seen in videos circulating on social media were inconsistent with the force’s professional standards and “cannot be justified under any circumstances.”

The review examined footage that allegedly showed personnel using force against individuals who had already stepped away from the protest. It also cited incidents in which people were pushed to the ground or struck while standing outside police barricades.

According to meeting proceedings cited by News18, officers were reminded that crowd-control operations must follow the prescribed force gradient. The review said personnel should issue warnings before resorting to force and use only authorized measures in a graduated manner.m