'Can be used in exceptional situations': SC hears PIL on pellet-gun use during student protests
The Supreme Court of India has acknowledged that police may use pellet guns in exceptional, violent situations while ordering the preservation of ammunition logs. This follows controversy over the use of non-lethal force against student protesters during anti-NEET demonstrations.
Why it matters
The ruling balances the state's need for riot control with the protection of civil rights during public protests.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday observed that police are "empowered to use pellet guns in exceptional situations" while directing the Centre to preserve the ammunition log of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) deployed at Jantar Mantar.The court's observation comes at a time when allegations of pellet gun use against NEET protesters during the CJP-led student protest on July 20 have escalated into a political potboiler in Parliament.A Bench of CJI Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also directed the Delhi government to provide adequate treatment to those protesters who were injured by alleged firing of pellet guns.The bench also observed that when in extreme violent situations police are permitted to use bullets if violence does not get controlled by lathicharge and tear gas, how can they be barred from using pellet guns if a protest, which has turned violent after being hijacked by miscreants for…
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