CRPF Reviews Alleged Use of Pellet Guns During July 20 Parliament March; Internal Probe Underway

Key Highlights

• The CRPF has initiated an internal review into allegations that RAF personnel fired pellet rounds during the July 20 Parliament march in Delhi.
• According to sources, pellet rounds fired by an RAF personnel reportedly ricocheted off the ground, injuring some protesters.
• The Delhi Police and the government have denied that pellet guns were used during the protest.
• The review is part of the CRPF's standard post-operation assessment, with an official report expected after the inquiry is completed.
• Several protesters have alleged pellet injuries, while the CRPF has also reported injuries among RAF personnel during the clashes.

CRPF Begins Internal Review

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has begun an internal review into allegations that personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) used pellet rounds during the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' (Parliament March) protest in Delhi.

According to sources, the review was initiated after reports emerged that some protesters sustained injuries allegedly caused by pellet rounds that struck the ground and ricocheted.

The review is an internal operational assessment and does not by itself establish wrongdoing or confirm that pellet guns were used.

What the Sources Claim

According to CRPF sources:

• An RAF personnel allegedly fired pellet rounds during the protest.
• Some pellets reportedly hit the ground before striking protesters.
• More than 47 RAF personnel were also injured during clashes in the Connaught Place area, with several reportedly sustaining serious injuries.
• The force is preparing a detailed internal report examining the conduct of the operation.

These claims are based on information from sources familiar with the review process and have not yet been confirmed in an official CRPF report.

Police and Government Continue to Deny Pellet Gun Use

The internal review comes even as the Delhi Police and the government have consistently denied allegations that pellet guns were used during the Parliament march.

Authorities have stated that security personnel relied on crowd-control measures such as:

• Tear gas.
• Lathi-charge.
• Other standard public order measures.

No official statement has acknowledged the use of pellet guns.

Protesters Allege Pellet Injuries

Several protesters have claimed they suffered pellet injuries during the July 20 demonstration.

According to reports:

• At least four alleged pellet injury cases have been documented.
• Some injured protesters have shared medical records indicating treatment for pellet-related wounds.
• One protester alleged that he was struck while attempting to move away from police action during the protest.

These accounts represent the allegations of the individuals involved and have not been independently verified.

Rahul Gandhi Raises the Issue

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi recently appeared alongside one of the injured protesters and questioned the government's denial regarding the alleged use of pellet guns.

Referring to the injuries, Gandhi argued that the government should explain the circumstances under which protesters were wounded.

His remarks have intensified political debate over the handling of the demonstration.

What the CRPF Review Will Examine

According to sources, the internal assessment will examine:

• Crowd-control measures employed during the protest.
• Operational decisions taken by RAF personnel.
• Compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Reports of injuries to both protesters and security personnel.

The review is part of the CRPF's routine post-operation evaluation process following major deployments.

The force is expected to submit a formal report after completing its assessment.

About Pellet Guns

Pellet guns are classified as less-lethal crowd-control weapons.

According to established operational protocols, they are generally intended to be used only after other crowd-management measures—such as warnings, persuasion, tear gas or water cannons—have proved ineffective or are considered insufficient.

Their use remains controversial because pellet rounds can cause serious injuries, particularly if they strike sensitive areas such as the eyes or face.

Why This Matters

The issue has become politically significant because of conflicting accounts regarding the methods used to disperse protesters.

While several protesters have alleged pellet injuries and an internal CRPF review is underway, the Delhi Police and the government continue to deny that pellet guns were used. The findings of the CRPF's official report may help clarify the sequence of events, though any determination of responsibility would depend on the evidence gathered during the inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the CRPF reviewing?

The CRPF is conducting an internal review into allegations that RAF personnel used pellet rounds during the July 20 Parliament march in Delhi.

Has the CRPF confirmed pellet guns were used?

No. The CRPF has initiated a review, but no official report has confirmed the use of pellet guns.

What have the Delhi Police and government said?

Both have denied that pellet guns were used during the protest.

Why is Rahul Gandhi involved?

Rahul Gandhi highlighted the injuries of a protester and questioned the government's denial regarding the alleged use of pellet guns.

Is the CRPF investigation complete?

No. The internal review is ongoing, and an official report is expected after the assessment is completed.