The Supreme Court on Thursday stated that police are empowered to use pellet guns in exceptional situations.
The remarks were made during the hearing of a plea seeking a complete ban on use of metallic pellet guns to deal with law and order situations filed by former Central Information Commissioner and retired IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad and two individuals who claim they sustained pellet injuries during the "Sansad Chalo" protest in central Delhi on July 20.
The apex court referred to the advisory of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) while making the statement.
The bench, however, said it was ready to examine the use of pellet guns in the July 20 protests called by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
Azad has approached the Supreme Court seeking a nationwide ban on the use of wholly or partly metallic pellet ammunition fired from pump-action or projectile action guns for dispersing civilian assemblies, contending that such weapons are inherently incompatible with constitutional standards governing the use of force.
The PIL, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, has been jointly instituted by Azad along with two individuals who claim they sustained pellet injuries during the "Sansad Chalo" protest in central Delhi on July 20.
The petition also seeks exemplary compensation, comprehensive medical treatment and rehabilitation for all persons allegedly injured in the incident.
Ammunition log of RAF to be preserved
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also took note of the submissions of senior advocate Vrinda Grover and asked the Delhi government to provide the best treatment to those who suffered pellet injuries during the NEET paper leak protest here.
Taking note of the submissions of Grover, the bench asked union government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, to preserve the ammunition log of RAF (Rapid Action Force) deployed at Jantar Mantar during the protest.
