Delhi Police Accused of Using Pellet Guns, Shock Batons on Protesters, 80 Injured

Shaikh Irshad Mansoori suffered pellet injuries, the first known case of security forces using pellet guns in Delhi; police deny use, say public must “verify facts”

Updated - July 28, 2026 09:30 am IST

By Ashna Butani and Vijaita Singh

At least one of the 80 protesters injured in police action during the Monday (July 20, 2026) march to Parliament called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) sustained pellet gun injuries, according to a source at Lady Hardinge Medical College, where the victim is undergoing treatment.

A friend of Shaikh Irshad Mansoori (25), the protester, told The Hindu that Mr. Mansoori was hit near Palika Bazaar in Connaught Place by a Rapid Action Force (RAF) jawan in uniform.

This appears to be the first known instance of security forces using pellet guns on civilians in Delhi. A video of a woman being stunned by a shock baton also emerged on Tuesday (July 21). This is also the first known case of shock batons, which emanate a mild electric shock, being used in Delhi.

Pellet guns and shock batons are part of the RAF’s gear, the anti-riot unit under the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which was deployed alongside Delhi Police on Monday (July 20) in and around Jantar Mantar during the protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

While the CRPF did not comment, in response to a video shared by CJP’s Saurav Das on X showing a protester with pellet-like injuries, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, said:

“Reports claiming that police forces are using pellet guns against peaceful protesters are completely false and misleading. The public is strongly advised not to share or circulate unverified content. Please verify facts from official sources before posting or forwarding any information.”

Used Against Farmers

The pellets fired from guns, which penetrate the skin when sprayed from a distance, were last known to have been used during the 2024 farmers’ protest at Khanauri and Shambhu border along the Punjab-Haryana boundary. Though the police had denied the use of pellet guns then, farm leaders alleged that several persons were injured.

In 2023, the guns were used against protesters in ethnic-strife-torn Manipur, leading to huge public outrage. In the past, pellet guns have been used in Jammu & Kashmir during the 2016 unrest, leaving several people partially or fully blind.

Also read:

• March to Parliament: Protesters’ anger extends beyond paper leaks
• RAF fired pellet gun at protesters on the directions of a Delhi Police officer, document shows
• Several hurt in crackdown on CJP Parliament march
• The ‘non-lethal’ pellet
• When protest meets crackdown: Cockroach Janta Party protest in pictures