CRPF ‘verifying’ reports of pellet guns used against protesters in Delhi: official

Pellet guns and shock batons are part of RAF’s gear, which worked alongside Delhi Police and was deployed in and around Jantar Mantar on July 20. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is “verifying media reports” on the use of pellet guns by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) against unarmed protesters during July 20 march to Parliament in New Delhi, an official said on Friday (July 24, 2026). This comes three days after The Hindu reported the first known instance of security forces using pellet guns on civilians in the national capital.The CRPF official added that no action has been take so far as the veracity is still being ascertained.As of Friday (July 24, 2026), two persons, who were hit by pellets allegedly fired by RAF personnel, are receiving treatment at government hospitals. One of them, Sahil Lochab (19), risks losing vision in the right eye due to a pellet piercing his pupil, his family said.Earlier, the Delhi Police had denied the usage of pellet guns against protesters. Pellet guns and shock batons are part of RAF’s gear, which worked alongside Delhi Police and was deployed in and around Jantar Mantar on July 20. RAF is the specialised anti-riot unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is yet to issue a statement or clarify their position on the use of disproportionate force.On Wednesday (July 22), the Delhi High Court sought responses from the Centre and the Delhi Police on public interest litigation petitions alleging the excessive use of force against demonstrators during the July 20 march. Another case seeking an investigation into the CJP protest is listed for hearing on Friday (July 24).The pellets fired from guns, which penetrate the skin when sprayed from a distance, were last known to have been used during the 2024 farmers’ protest at Khanauri and Shambhu border along the Punjab-Haryana boundary. Though the police had denied the use of pellet guns then, farm leaders had alleged that several persons were injured.In 2023, the guns were used against protesters in ethnic-strife torn Manipur leading to a huge public outrage. In the past, pellet guns have been used in Jammu & Kashmir during the 2016 unrest leaving several people partially or fully blind. Published - July 24, 2026 11:50 am IST