The Supreme Court on Thursday sought details of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) governing the use of pellet guns by Delhi Police while hearing petitions questioning the force used during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. The court observed that pellet guns can be used only in “exceptional circumstances” under existing police regulations and asked the Centre to respond on the legal framework governing their deployment.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the Centre and directed authorities to place the relevant rules and operational guidelines before the court.
Petitioners Allege Metallic Pellets Were Used
Representing the petitioners, senior advocate Vrinda Grover argued that the projectiles recovered from injured protesters were metallic rather than rubber or plastic pellets.”There can be rubber, plastic and metallic pellets. These were metallic and recovered from the bodies. Nature of the crowd will determine use of this as well. Was it a violent mob? No. These metallic pellets were fired,” Grover submitted before the Bench.
The petitioners maintained that the protesters were not violent and questioned whether such force was justified.
Court Refers to Graded Use of Force
During the hearing, Justice Bagchi observed that the existing police rules already provide for the use of pellet guns in limited situations.”Police rules allow the use in exceptional circumstances. One of the steps of the graded approach is the use of pellet guns,” the judge observed.
The Bench clarified that it was prepared to examine whether the use of force in the present case complied with the prescribed graded response mechanism.
Supreme Court Suggests Clear Guidelines
The Chief Justice indicated that instead of seeking a complete prohibition, the petitioners could ask the court to frame clear guidelines governing the use of pellet guns during public protests.
Referring to allegations of excessive force, the Bench observed that any deployment of such weapons must strictly follow established protocols and remain proportionate to the situation.
Justice Bagchi also underlined that authorities should follow the principle of minimum force while handling demonstrations but acknowledged that graded responses may become necessary depending on the circumstances.
Case Linked to July 20 Protest
The petitions arise from the violence during the CJP’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on July 20, when clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel near Jantar Mantar.
The incident sparked a political controversy after allegations surfaced that pellet guns had been used against demonstrators.
According to official records submitted by Delhi Police, security personnel deployed 55 non-electrical shells, 15 electrical shells, five tear smoke grenades, two anti-riot gun rounds and two rounds of plastic pellets to disperse the crowd.
Police have maintained that the ammunition used contained plastic projectiles intended to minimise injuries.
Matter to Continue
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and directed Delhi Police to submit the SOP governing the use of pellet guns. The matter will now proceed after the authorities file their replies, with the court expected to examine whether the force used during the protest complied with existing legal and operational guidelines.
