CJP Member Criticizes Supreme Court's Stance on Pellet Guns

Saurav Das, a member of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has expressed strong disapproval of the Supreme Court's recent remarks regarding the use of pellet guns for crowd control. His comments came in response to a plea that sought a nationwide prohibition on these weapons, which have been a contentious issue in recent protests. The Supreme Court, during a hearing involving former IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad and two individuals who reported suffering injuries from pellet guns during the 'Sansad Chalo' protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on July 20, indicated that the police have the authority to deploy pellet guns under specific circumstances. This observation has sparked significant backlash from various quarters, particularly from those advocating for the rights of protesters and victims of such crowd control measures.

During the proceedings, Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, discussed the legal framework surrounding the use of pellet guns. Justice Bagchi remarked that while a total ban on these weapons could be considered, it would require a challenge to the existing regulations that allow their use. He pointed out that the current police guidelines permit the deployment of pellet guns only in exceptional situations, underscoring the court's stance that such measures are not entirely without justification. This perspective has raised concerns among human rights advocates, who argue that the use of pellet guns often leads to severe injuries and even fatalities, particularly among peaceful protesters.