Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Supreme Court to Draft Protocol on Pellet Gun Use
The Supreme Court of India is looking at how police can use pellet guns when they try to control crowds.
A protest on July 20 in Delhi caused injuries when police fired these guns.
A former police officer and two injured protesters asked the court to stop using them.
The court said it will make rules about when and where pellet guns can be used.
It will also investigate how the guns were used in the protest.
The next meeting to discuss the rules is on August 19.
Supreme Court will draft a protocol on pellet gun use in crowd control after July 20 protest.
Petition filed by former IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad and two injured protesters seeks ban on metallic pellet ammunition.
Court noted lack of standing order authorizing pellet gun use and will investigate misuse on a case‑by‑case basis.
Bench will form a committee to probe Jantar Mantar protest and examine excessive force allegations.
Next hearing scheduled for August 19 to discuss proposed protocol and government response.
- Who
- Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, including Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana; petitioners Yashovardhan Azad, Prasant Kumar Singh, and Sheikh Irshad Mansoori
- What
- Supreme Court will draft a protocol governing the use of pellet guns in crowd‑control operations
- When
- Hearing held on August 3, 2026; next hearing scheduled for August 19, 2026
- Where
- Supreme Court, New Delhi; protest site at Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Why
- Concerns over injuries caused by pellet guns and lack of clear regulatory framework
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Justice V. Mohana
- Petitioners
- Yashovardhan Azad, Prasant Kumar Singh, Sheikh Irshad Mansoori
- Protest Date
- July 20, 2026
- Next Hearing
- August 19, 2026
