SC directs Delhi govt to treat injured Jantar Mantar protesters, says pellet guns allowed only in exceptional cases

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Delhi government to provide medical treatment to protesters injured during the July 20 crackdown at Jantar Mantar, including those who allegedly sustained pellet gun injuries.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana instructed the National Capital Territory (NCT) government to ensure adequate medical care for all similarly placed victims.

“Government of Delhi shall provide medical treatment to the injured petitioner or other similarly placed individuals,” the court directed.

The order came while hearing a petition filed by former Intelligence Bureau special director and former Central Information Commissioner Yashovardhan Azad, who sought a ban on the use of pellet guns against protesters and compensation for those injured during the July 20 demonstrations.

The plea also requested directions prohibiting the use of metallic kinetic projectiles and pellet-firing pump-action or projectile-action guns for crowd control.

During the hearing, the bench observed that existing police rules permit the use of pellet guns in exceptional situations and that the practice cannot be declared illegal unless the governing rules are challenged.

“Police rules allow the use in exceptional circumstances unless you challenge the rules itself. One of the steps of the graded approach is the use of pellet guns,” Justice Bagchi observed.

Chief Justice Surya Kant added that, in light of allegations of excessive force, the court could consider framing guidelines governing the use of such weapons rather than imposing an outright ban.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court expressed concern over allegations of excessive force during the July 20 security operation against students and protesters participating in the Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march. The bench reiterated that while the constitutional right to peaceful protest must be protected, violence by demonstrators and disproportionate police action were equally unacceptable.

Political row over pellet gun allegations

The hearing comes amid a political confrontation over whether pellet guns were used during the protest.

The Centre has denied allegations that pellet guns were fired, maintaining that security personnel used only tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

However, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has alleged that several students suffered pellet-like injuries during the police action. At a press conference on Wednesday, he displayed photographs of injured protesters and accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of authorising the use of force.

The BJP has rejected the allegations, insisting no pellet guns were used and demanding that Gandhi apologise for what it described as false claims.