CRPF Verifies Reports of Pellet Gun Use on Delhi Protesters, Victim May Lose Eye
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is currently verifying media reports that its Rapid Action Force (RAF) unit used pellet guns against unarmed protesters during a march to Parliament in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. A CRPF official stated on Friday (July 24) that no action has been taken as the veracity of the claims is still being ascertained.
This follows a report by The Hindu, which documented the first known instance of security forces using pellet guns on civilians in the national capital. At least two individuals were hit by pellets and are receiving treatment at government hospitals. One of them, 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, risks losing vision in his right eye after a pellet pierced his pupil, according to his family.
The Delhi Police had earlier denied the use of pellet guns against protesters. However, pellet guns and shock batons are part of the standard equipment of the RAF, which was deployed alongside Delhi Police in and around Jantar Mantar on July 20. The RAF is a specialised anti-riot unit under the CRPF.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has yet to issue a statement regarding the allegations of disproportionate force. On July 22, the Delhi High Court sought responses from the Centre and the Delhi Police on public interest litigation petitions alleging excessive force during the July 20 march. Another petition seeking an investigation into the protests is scheduled for a hearing on Friday (July 24).
Pellet guns, which fire pellets that can penetrate the skin when sprayed from a distance, were previously used during the 2024 farmers' protest at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders along the Punjab-Haryana boundary. Although police denied using pellet guns at that time, farm leaders alleged that several people were injured. In 2023, the same weapons were deployed against protesters in Manipur during ethnic strife, sparking public outrage. Historically, pellet guns have been used in Jammu and Kashmir, notably during the 2016 unrest, leaving many partially or fully blind.
