Supreme Court Orders Treatment for Jantar Mantar Protestors Injured by Pellet Guns

The Supreme Court of India has ordered the Delhi government to ensure that all protestors injured by pellet guns at Jantar Mantar receive adequate medical treatment. This significant directive was issued on a plea filed by Yashovardhan Azad, a former Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau and Central Information Commissioner, who challenged the use of pellet guns by law enforcement agencies during a 'Sansad Chalo' march. The march, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on July 20, 2026, saw several demonstrators sustain injuries allegedly due to the firing of metallic pellets by the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialized unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The plea filed by Azad, along with two injured protestors, sought not only compensation for the victims but also a complete ban on the use of metallic kinetic projectiles, commonly known as pellet guns, for crowd dispersal by law enforcement agencies. The petitioners argued that the use of such weapons violates the principles of proportionality, necessity, and reasonableness, and that existing police guidelines do not permit their use against civilian assemblies. Several reports indicated that at least three individuals, including a DU student and a journalist, had sustained pellet injuries, with some requiring surgical removal of pellets. Concerns were also raised about the potential for permanent damage, including vision loss. During the hearing, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations. While directing the Delhi government to provide medical treatment to the injured, the Court also noted that police rules permit the use of pellet guns in "exceptional circumstances." Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that unless these rules themselves are challenged, the use of such weapons cannot be deemed illegal, and that a request for a ban should focus on challenging the existing regulations. The Chief Justice suggested that in light of the alleged excessive use, the prayer should be for the court to lay down a protocol governing the use of pellet guns. The Court also directed the Central government to preserve the ammunition logs of the Rapid Action Force personnel deployed during the protest, a move seen as crucial for a thorough investigation. The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the broader issues surrounding the right to peaceful protest and the methods employed by law enforcement for crowd control in India. Earlier in the week, the apex court had affirmed the constitutional right to peaceful protest, indicating that it was considering framing an all-India protocol to regulate demonstrations and police conduct. The court stressed that while peaceful agitation is a fundamental right, it cannot justify police excesses, nor can genuine protests be hijacked by anti-social elements. The ongoing legal proceedings reflect a demand for greater accountability and a review of the standard operating procedures for crowd management, particularly concerning the use of less-lethal but potentially harmful weapons like pellet guns. The case highlights the delicate balance between maintaining public order and upholding fundamental rights.

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