CRPF ‘verifying’ reports of pellet guns used against protesters in Delhi: official

The CRPF is investigating reports that the Rapid Action Force used pellet guns against protesters during a recent demonstration in New Delhi. The incident has resulted in serious injuries, leading to legal scrutiny and public concern regarding the use of force by security agencies.
Why it matters
The potential use of non-lethal but high-injury weaponry against civilians in a capital city raises significant human rights and police accountability questions.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is “verifying media reports” on the use of pellet guns by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) against unarmed protesters during July 20 march to Parliament in New Delhi, an official said on Friday (July 24, 2026). This comes three days after The Hindu reported the first known instance of security forces using pellet guns on civilians in the national capital.
The CRPF official added that no action has been take so far as the veracity is still being ascertained.
As of Friday (July 24, 2026), two persons, who were hit by pellets allegedly fired by RAF personnel, are receiving treatment at government hospitals. One of them, Sahil Lochab (19), risks losing vision in the right eye due to a pellet piercing his pupil, his family said.
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