Supreme Court Orders Ammunition Audit and Probes Rapid Action Force Conduct at CJP Rally
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to secure ammunition logs from the July 20 NEET protests in New Delhi. This directive follows a legal challenge against the use of metallic pellet guns on civilian assemblies.
Judiciary Demands Accountability for Deployment of Projectile Weaponry
A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, has instructed the Union government to maintain a detailed log of all ammunition expended by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) during recent demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. The July 30 order specifically addresses the crowd control measures utilized during a protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) regarding alleged NEET examination leaks.
The Debate Over Non-Lethal Force Standards
While the court declined to issue an immediate blanket ban on metallic pellet guns, it expressed a willingness to investigate whether security forces adhered to established protocols. Senior advocate Vrinda Grover presented arguments on behalf of the petitioners, leading the bench to consider whether new guidelines are needed to prevent the arbitrary application of force. Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted the complexities faced by officers on the ground, suggesting that law enforcement requires better defensive equipment to manage situations where external actors might subvert legitimate protests.
The Petition for National Reform
The legal challenge was initiated by retired IPS officer and former Central Information Commissioner Yashovardhan Azad, joined by two individuals who sustained pellet injuries during the July 20 events. The litigants seek several key interventions:
- A countrywide prohibition on pump-action or projectile guns firing metallic ammunition at civilians.
- Immediate state-funded medical treatment and long-term rehabilitation for the injured.
- Exemplary financial compensation for victims of state action during the New Delhi protests.
The bench cited existing advisories from the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), which currently permit pellet gun use under exceptional conditions. However, the court has ordered the Delhi government to ensure that all those wounded in the recent clashes receive high-level medical care while the broader constitutional compatibility of these weapons remains under judicial scrutiny.
Source: The Hindu — National
