The Supreme Court of India directed the Delhi government to ensure medical treatment for individuals injured during the NEET protests [1].
The ruling addresses the use of force against demonstrators and raises critical questions regarding the legality of pellet guns in crowd control. If the court finds these weapons were used in violation of police rules, it could set a significant legal precedent for police accountability in India.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued the directive [1]. The court's order follows reports that protesters were injured by the alleged use of pellet guns by the Rapid Action Force [2].
The incidents occurred on July 20 [1] in the Jantar Mantar area of Delhi, where students and activists had gathered to protest the NEET examinations [1]. The court is now examining whether the deployment of such weaponry aligns with established police protocols, and legal standards for maintaining public order.
By mandating the Delhi government to provide care, the court ensures that victims receive necessary medical attention regardless of the ongoing legal disputes over the protests. The bench is considering the specifics of the Rapid Action Force's engagement and the resulting injuries [2].
The court's focus extends beyond immediate medical relief to a broader review of police conduct. The legal team will evaluate the specific rules governing the use of pellet guns to determine if the force used on July 20 was proportionate or an illegal escalation [2].
“The Supreme Court directed the Delhi government to ensure medical treatment for individuals injured by alleged pellet‑gun use.”
This directive signals the judiciary's willingness to intervene in police tactics during civil unrest. By linking medical care to an inquiry into the legality of pellet-gun use, the court is treating the injuries not as accidental casualties of a protest, but as potential evidence of a breach in police protocol. This may lead to stricter regulations on the types of non-lethal weapons the Rapid Action Force can deploy in urban centers.
