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The Supreme Court on 30 July 2026 refused to order a blanket ban on the use of pellet guns for crowd control.
The Court observed that security forces may use them in exceptional circumstances so long as existing police guidelines permit it.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana directed the Centre to preserve the ammunition log of Rapid Action Force personnel deployed at Jantar Mantar.
The Court agreed to examine allegations that metallic pellets were used disproportionately during youth protests in Delhi over the NEET-UG paper leak.
The Chief Justice suggested the petition be reframed to seek judicial guidelines on the use of pellet guns rather than an outright ban.
Pellet guns used in Indian crowd control are pump-action shotguns firing cartridges that scatter many small metallic pellets over a wide area. They are classified as less-lethal rather than non-lethal, an important distinction: they are intended to incapacitate rather than kill, but they can and do cause permanent injury and death. Because the pellets disperse, the weapon cannot be aimed precisely at a single individual, and pellets striking the face have repeatedly caused blindness. That combination — wide dispersal and serious injury potential — is the basis of the objection to their use in crowd situations.
Simple Analogy: It is the difference between a torch beam and a floodlight: the weapon cannot be pointed at one person without also reaching everyone standing near them.
Guarantee freedom of speech and expression and the right to assemble peaceably without arms, subject to reasonable restrictions — the rights engaged when force is used against protesters.
The right to life and personal liberty, which is the basis for challenging weapons that cause permanent injury.
The administrative instruments that presently authorise the use of pellet guns in exceptional circumstances, which the Court noted remain in force.
The provision under which the petition was brought directly before the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights.
GS Paper 2 > Structure and Functioning of the Judiciary, Fundamental Rights; GS Paper 3 > Internal Security
General Awareness > Polity and Current Affairs
General Awareness > Internal Security
In India, separation of judiciary from the executive is enjoined by
Answer: a Directive Principle of State Policy
Which of the following was the first High Court established in India?
Answer: Calcutta High Court
A weapon designed to incapacitate rather than kill, but which can still cause serious or fatal injury.
A specialised wing of the Central Reserve Police Force raised for riot and crowd control duties.
The official record of rounds issued to and expended by personnel, used to establish what was actually fired.
The fundamental right to assemble peaceably and without arms, subject to reasonable restrictions.