The Supreme Court of India observed on Thursday (July 30,2026) that police forces are permitted to use pellet guns in “exceptional circumstances,” treating it as a component of a graded approach to managing civilian protests.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, was hearing a petition seeking a complete ban on the use of pellet guns against protesters. The petition, filed by former Intelligence Bureau Special Director Yashovardhan Azad, comes amid a massive political row over allegations that security personnel fired pellet guns during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) anti-NEET protest on July 20.
‘Pellet Guns Can Be Used Under Exceptional Circumstances’: Supreme Court
Justice Bagchi observed orally that, “Police rules allow the use [of pellet guns] in exceptional circumstances unless you challenge the rules itself”. The court acknowledged that while peaceful protests must be met with non-violence, there is a risk of protests being “hijacked” by unscrupulous elements intending to sabotage the movement or incite violence. The Bench stated that the police must be prepared with a graded response, which includes the use of force, for various crowd control scenarios.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court Moots Independent Probe Into Police Crackdown on Student Protests
Hesitant to impose a blanket ban, CJI Surya Kant suggested the petition should focus on establishing strict protocols and safeguards regarding the weapon’s use. The Supreme Court also directed the Delhi government to ensure proper medical treatment for all injured protesters and asked the Centre to preserve the ammunition logs of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel deployed during the July 20 protest. The Centre has maintained that no pellet guns were used, a claim disputed by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who displayed photographs of protesters with alleged pellet injuries.