Protester: RAF man shot me with pellets; Delhi Police deny using pellets

A 25-year-old protester who underwent surgery after being injured during a march in Delhi on July 20 has alleged that a member of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) fired pellets at him, hitting him in the face and other parts of his body. The Delhi Police have denied the use of pellets.

Irshad Shaikh, an MBA graduate working in Gurgaon, was among those who joined the 'Chalo Sansad' march organised by the Centre for Justice and Peace (CJP). Speaking from his hospital bed at Lady Hardinge Hospital, he said that after the protest turned chaotic, an RAF constable pointed a gun at him and shot, causing multiple pellet injuries to his face, neck, shoulder, and chest.

According to Shaikh, he approached the police to plead with them not to use force, but the RAF man shot him. He said he did not lose consciousness and was taken to the hospital by bystanders. Doctors removed pellets during surgery and informed him that one was lodged near the muscle controlling his left eye, which could have affected eye movement.

The Delhi Police on Wednesday denied using pellets during the protest. The CRPF, which deploys the RAF, did not respond to a request for comment. Officials at Lady Hardinge Hospital stated that 'pellet injuries' refer to the nature of the injury and can be caused by small objects thrown at speed. They added that whether the injury was caused by a pellet gun requires forensic investigation.

The protest on July 20 saw clashes between security personnel and demonstrators, with police using lathis and tear gas to control the crowd. The incident highlights ongoing tensions around protest management and the use of force by law enforcement agencies.