Are pellet guns legal for crowd control in India? | Explained
Following allegations of pellet gun use during a protest in Delhi, this article examines the legal status of non-lethal weapons in India. It clarifies that while low-powered pellet guns are not classified as firearms under the Arms Act, their use for crowd control remains a subject of intense public and legal debate.
Why it matters
The use of 'less-lethal' weapons by security forces is a contentious issue involving human rights, public safety, and legal accountability.
Story so far: At least one of the 80 protesters injured in police action during the Monday (July 20, 2026) march to Parliament called by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) sustained pellet gun injuries, according to a source at Lady Hardinge Medical College, where the victim is undergoing treatment. While the Delhi Police has denied using pellet guns and said such claims are “false and misleading”, the allegations have been strong against the Rapid Action Force, a specialised rapid reaction wing of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). This prompts questions over the legal framework governing the use of pellet guns and non-lethal weapons for crowd control in India.
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