What are the rules and regulations for using pellet guns and AK-47 on protesters?

Pellet guns were fired on protesters during the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Five days later, on July 25, a video of firing from AK-47 surfaced during the protest against NEET paper leak in Siwan, Bihar. On one hand, pellet gun can prove fatal by scattering shrapnel, while on the other hand, AK-47 is a weapon of war. Both weapons cannot be used for crowd control in public demonstrations. After all, what are the law and guidelines for using these weapons and how were they flouted…

Pellet gun controversy and RAF’s ‘serious shortcomings’

On July 20, there was a clash between protesters and police during CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march. It was claimed that the police used pellet guns. Pellet injury was found in the medical report. Videos came on social media. In these, RAF soldiers were seen deliberately hitting and killing the protesters. More than 80 protesters were injured. At least 130 policemen and about 65 students were injured. 15 FIRs were registered.

What is pellet gun?

Pellet gun is an airgun. It contains a small metal bullet which contains 100 to 150 pellets. These shrapnel can tear the skin, damage the eyes and prove fatal. It is called a ‘less-lethal’ weapon, but in reality it is very dangerous.

The United Nations (UN) believes that pellet guns cause severe injuries to civilians, which is a direct violation of international human rights rules.

What do the guidelines say?

Section 148 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS) provides for the use of force to disperse unlawful crowds. According to this, an executive magistrate, the officer in charge of the police station or in his absence at least a sub-inspector can order the crowd to disperse.

According to the information given by the government in Parliament, pellet guns should be used to deal with very serious law and order situations and with utmost caution. According to Dr. Shesh Pal Vaid, retired DGP of Jammu and Kashmir Police, three steps are necessary before using a pellet gun:

• First warning: To warn the crowd through loudspeaker.
• Second warning: Declaring the crowd an ‘unlawful assembly’.
• step Three: Even if the crowd does not go away, use water cannon.
• Last way: Even after all this, if the crowd remains violent, then only pellet guns or other less-lethal weapons can be used.

This means that using a pellet gun is not the first step, but the last step.

How was it ruined?

The real revelation came on July 22, when RAF Inspector General Seema Dhundhiya held a video conference. Dhundhiya agreed to the ‘use of excessive force’. He expressed ‘serious dissatisfaction’ with the performance of the RAF. The RAF admitted ‘serious operational deficiencies’.

26 corrective measures were implemented. Dhundhiya banned the use of pellet guns (PAG), anti-riot guns (ARG), electric shock weapons and electric shields till further orders.

In this review it was found that the soldiers who were deployed in crowd control were not given proper briefing. Soldiers transferred from anti-terrorist operations like Jammu and Kashmir were deployed in crowd control. The video showed soldiers using force on people who had separated from the crowd, deliberately knocking people down and attacking people standing outside the barricades.

As per the guidelines, let alone the use of pellet guns, the weapons used were also banned later. The soldiers who were deployed were not even given proper training.

AK-47 ruckus in Bihar and suspension of police officer

25 July 2026. Students protested against NEET paper leak in Siwan, Bihar. During this time, a video of firing from AK-47 surfaced.

AK-47 is completely a lethal weapon. In India, AK-47 rifle can be used only by special forces of army or police. Apart from this, it is illegal for anyone to use it. Even possessing it is illegal.

Use of AK-47 against civilians is not acceptable anywhere in Indian law. This is a serious violation of human rights and is considered ‘excessive force’.

What did the Supreme Court say on this matter?

• On July 27, 2026, the Supreme Court made strict comments on this entire matter.
• CJI Surya Kant’s bench said, ‘The right to peaceful demonstration is completely guaranteed. Just because a protest is taking place, police brutality cannot be justified. Just because there is a movement, it does not mean that there should be lathi charge.

The Supreme Court itself admitted that there was excess in the police action and there is a need for uniform guidelines across the country.

Rahul said- ‘The system is deadly against students’

On July 27, 2026, Rahul Gandhi made the sharpest attack on this issue. He said 3 big things:

• AK-47 and pellet gun charges: Rahul said, ‘Pellet guns were fired on students in Delhi and AK-47 were fired on students in Bihar. Be it UP, West Bengal, Bihar or Delhi, the pattern is the same everywhere.
• Demand for apology from PM: Rahul said, ‘Mr Modi, apologize to the students of the country. Take action against those who attack and crush students.
• Allegation of ‘deadly system’: Rahul said, ‘The entire system is deadly against students.’ He asked PM Modi, ‘Mr. Modi, where is your promise that there will be no FIR against the students and they will be released?’

Rahul termed it as ‘brutality against students’ and said that the government is adopting every trick to suppress the voice of students.