The Supreme Court has instructed the Union government to preserve the official ammunition records of the Rapid Action Force deployed during a recent student demonstration against alleged NEET paper leaks in New Delhi.
Hearing a public interest litigation on Thursday, a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana also directed the Delhi government to ensure the highest quality medical treatment for individuals who suffered pellet injuries during the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” rally.
The legal action stems from a petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution by former Central Information Commissioner and retired police officer Yashovardhan Azad alongside two individuals injured during the protest, which was called by the Cockroach Janta Party. Senior Advocate Vrinda Grover represented the petitioners, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of the central government.
Police Authority and Constitutional Challenge
While agreeing to examine the specific deployment and firing of pellet guns during the central Delhi gathering, the bench questioned the petition’s demand for an immediate blanket ban on metallic pellet weapons nationwide. Citing advisory standards established by the Bureau of Police Research and Development, the court noted that law enforcement agencies maintain statutory authorization to use pellet ammunition in exceptional circumstances.
The petition argues that pump-action and projectile-action firearms loaded with metallic pellet ammunition violate constitutional guidelines governing the proportional use of force against civilian assemblies. In addition to advocating for a prohibition on such weaponry during public demonstrations, the suit requests court-mandated financial compensation, comprehensive medical assistance, and structured rehabilitation for those injured in the incident.
