Lathi-charge, tear gas at CJP protests: Police can disperse a crowd. Law doesn't say how much force it can use

Indian law empowers police to disperse unlawful assemblies under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), but does not specify the degree of force permitted.

Operational protocols for crowd control, including lathi-charge and tear gas, are governed by state police laws and manuals, leading to inconsistent practices across jurisdictions.

The Supreme Court in Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan Vs Union of India (2018) affirmed the right to protest but stated it must coexist with the rights of other citizens.

In Amit Sahni Vs Commissioner of Police (2020), the court ruled that public ways cannot be occupied indefinitely, even for protests.