CRPF refused to share info on pellet use during student protests: Saket Gokhale

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) declined to share information on its ammunition log, issue records, and details related to the Rapid Action Force (RAF)’s use of pellet guns and the deployment of the anti-riot force during the protests against examination irregularities on July 20, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Saket Gokhale said on Monday.Sahil Lochab, who suffered pellet gun injuries during the previous month's protests, shows pellets that he says were removed from his body, outside a police station. (REUTERS)In his application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, Gokhale cited the RAF’s use of plastic and metallic pellets that injured students, including one who could lose vision in his right eye. He termed it a human rights violation and sought details and records of the ammunition used during the protests.The Delhi Police and the CRPF have not formally commented on the use of pellet guns even though some records surfaced showing they were used. The Supreme Court constituted a five-member committee for an independent probe into allegations of violence during the July 20 student protests. The panel will look into issues such as pellet gun use following allegations of excessive and disproportionate force when the student protesters marched to Parliament from the Jantar Mantar protest site.Also Read: ‘Suffered 200 pellets, shot 5-6 times': What student protester backed by Rahul Gandhi said in FIRGokhale said the CRPF must provide the information because the issue relates to a human rights violation. He said Central Armed Police Forces are bound to share information under the RTI. “CRPF claims use of pellet guns on protestors in Delhi is not a human rights violation. I’d filed an RTI with Rapid Action Force (which is a part of CRPF) asking for information related to the use of pellet guns on unarmed protestors on 20th July during the Jantar Mantar protests. Under law, CRPF is exempt from RTI Act EXCEPT in cases related to corruption or human rights violations,” he said on X.Delhi Police filed a case regarding the student, who might lose vision in one eye due to the pellets. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took the victim to a police station and refused to leave until a first information report (FIR) was filed. He said the victim had around 200 pellet wounds on his body, including three that struck his eye.Gokhale shared a copy of the CRPF’s July 30 reply, saying the information could not be shared because security organisations are exempt from disclosure under Section 24(1) of the RTI Act, 2005, except regarding allegations of corruption or human rights violations.“On the basis of available information, the allegations made in the application do not attract the exception relating to violation of human rights under the proviso to section 24(1) of the RTI Act, 2005. Hence, this office is not liable to disclose any information in this regard to you under RTI Act, 2005,” the CRPF reply said.In his appeal, Gokhale said the information related to pellet use on students and a human rights violation. “This request is not barred by section 24. Although the CRPF is a notified organisation under the Second Schedule, the information sought here pertains to allegations of human rights violations — the firing of pellet ammunition upon a peaceful civilian assembly on 20 July 2026, causing grievous injury, including injuries to the eyes with a risk of permanent blindness.”Also Read: SC to examine Centre’s SOPs on pellet gun use amid row over alleged use on student protestersHe said such information is expressly excluded from the Section 24 bar by the proviso to Section 24(1) and is required to be provided (with the approval of the Central Information Commission where applicable) within 45 days.Gokhle said this is not information relating to the intelligence or covert functions. “...it concerns the use of force against civilians in a policing operation in the national capital, the essential facts of which are already on official record and in the public domain.”He said the request concerns the life and liberty of persons under the proviso to Section 7(1), and is to be processed accordingly.The CRPF again replied on August 21, saying the information sought pertained to operational and security-related matters. The CRPF reiterated that it is exempt from disclosing information.Gokhale said he would approach the Supreme Court. He added that when he appealed, the appellate authority again denied the info, citing “the same excuse.”There was no immediate response from the CRPF. The copy will be updated when it commentsThe RAF has faced criticism for using pellet guns. The use of pellet guns, categorised as a non-lethal deterrent along with tear gas, rubber bullets and smoke grenades, is included in the RAF’s manual for crowd control. The Opposition, students and experts have termed their use on student protesters as inappropriate. It was the first time that pellets were used in New Delhi. They have been used in Jammu and Kashmir.