SC: Pellet Guns Allowed in Exceptional Situations; Seeks RAF Ammo Log
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Supreme Court observed that police are empowered to use pellet guns in exceptional violent situations, while directing the Centre to preserve the ammunition log of the Rapid Action Force deployed at Jantar Mantar. This comes amid allegations of pellet gun use against NEET protesters on July 20, which has become a political issue in Parliament.
Background
The case arose from a protest at Jantar Mantar against the NEET paper leak, where protesters turned violent. The CRPF's Rapid Action Force used pellet guns after lower-grade measures failed. A petition sought a ban on pellet guns, but the SC upheld their use in extreme situations.
Key facts
Supreme Court observed that police are empowered to use pellet guns in exceptional situations when violence cannot be controlled by lathicharge and tear gas.
The court directed the Centre to preserve the ammunition log of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) deployed at Jantar Mantar.
The court also directed the Delhi government to provide adequate treatment to protesters injured by pellet gun firing.
The bench comprised CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
The court questioned the petitioner (ex-IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad) for seeking a ban on pellet guns.
CRPF post-event analysis stated that all SOPs and anti-riot drills were followed, with force gradient used: public announcements, tear gas, lathicharge, then pump action gun (pellet gun).
Around 3-5 protesters were injured by metal pellets; 47 RAF personnel were injured, six with head injuries.
CRPF DG G P Singh supported troops acting in bona fide discharge of duties.
Prelims pointers
- Supreme Court bench: CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi, V Mohana
- Rapid Action Force (RAF) – anti-riot unit of CRPF
- Pellet guns: non-lethal weapon firing metal pellets
- Jantar Mantar – protest site in Delhi
- NEET protest – against paper leak
- Force gradient: public announcement → tear gas → lathicharge → pellet gun
- CRPF – Central Reserve Police Force
- SOP – Standard Operating Procedure
Mains angles
- GS2 Polity: Role of judiciary in balancing fundamental rights (right to protest) with public order and police powers.
- GS3 Internal Security: Use of non-lethal weapons in crowd control – ethical and legal dimensions.
- GS2 Polity: Accountability of security forces and oversight mechanisms.
- GS2 Polity: Doctrine of proportionality in use of force by state.