This incident marks the first recorded instance of pellet guns being deployed against unarmed civilians in the national capital. File photo
RAF fired pellets at Delhi protestors on DCP's orders, confirms official records: Report
Police logs expose order to use anti-riot weapons in national capital for first time, leaving multiple injured and triggering a Supreme Court plea
Despite initial denials by the Delhi Police regarding the use of pellet guns during a July 20 march to Parliament, an official general diary entry accessed by The Hindu confirms that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) fired plastic pellets directly on the orders of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
A general diary entry filed at Parliament Street police station in New Delhi, registered at 1.24 am on July 20, shows that Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel fired an anti-riot gun loaded with plastic pellets "on the orders of the DCP" (Deputy Commissioner of Police).
This revelation comes a day after a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) investigation found that an RAF jawan fired at least seven rounds from a pellet gun, with five hitting peaceful protesters.
What the diary entry says
To control the crow during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, "on the orders of the DCP," the RAF deputy commandant fired 55 rounds of non-electrical shell, 15 rounds of electrical shell, five tear smoke grenades, and two rounds using ballistic cartridges with plastic pellets from an anti-riot gun.
The CJP agitation began on June 6, when the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) started a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union education minister at the time, over alleged irregularities in an exam. The July 20 demonstration was a march ("Chalo Sansad") toward Parliament.
Pellet injuries
At least five people reportedly sustained pellet injuries, including 25-year-old Sheikh Irshad Mansuri, 32-year-old Nootan Toppo from Gurugram, 28-year-old reporter Prashant Singh, a 25-year-old Bihar resident, and 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who was hit in the eye.
Reports say at least two people required surgery, and Lochab's family says he risks losing vision in his right eye after a pellet pierced his pupil.
Retired Intelligence Bureau Special Director Yashovardhan Azad alongside injured victims filed a petition in the Supreme Court requesting a complete ban on kinetic projectile weapons for crowd control, as well as state-funded compensation and medical rehabilitation for those harmed.
It was The Hindu that reported on July 21 about two people, who were hit by pellets allegedly fired by RAF personnel, being operated upon at government hospitals.
The significance
This incident marks the first recorded instance of pellet guns being deployed against unarmed civilians in the national capital. Pellet guns and shock batons are all part of the arsenal carried by the RAF, anti-riot force under the Central Reserve Police Force.
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