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SC Directs Centre to Preserve RAF Ammunition Log in Pellet Gun Ban Case

PolitySocial IssuesHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
30 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:20 July 202619-year-old Sahil Lochab25-year-old Prashant Kumar Singh26-year-old Sheikh Irshad Mansoori
Bodies:Supreme CourtRapid Action Force (RAF)CRPF
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What This Article Covers

1.SC issued notice to Centre on plea by ex-IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad and two pellet injury victims seeking ban on pellet guns for crowd dispersal.

2.Petitioners argued pellet guns, though termed 'less lethal', cause fatal injuries when fired at close range into crowds, citing injury to 19-year-old Sahil Lochab.

3.UN Guidelines on Less Lethal Weapons caution against using such weapons on crowds, stating they fail constitutional tests of 'necessity, proportionality, and reasonableness'.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Supreme Court has sought a response from the Centre on a plea seeking a ban on pellet guns for crowd dispersal, citing severe injuries to civilians. The Court has directed preservation of ammunition logs of RAF personnel deployed at Jantar Mantar protests, linking the issue to constitutional tests of necessity, proportionality, and reasonableness.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Case TypePlea for ban on pellet guns for crowd dispersal
Key PetitionerEx-IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad
Victim Cited19-year-old Sahil Lochab (injured eye on 20 July)
UN ReferenceUN Guidelines on Less Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement
Constitutional TestsNecessity, proportionality, reasonableness

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Case Type: Plea for ban on pellet guns for crowd dispersal
  • ›Key Petitioner: Ex-IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad
  • ›Target this Data: 20 July 2026 (date of pellet gun firing incident at Jantar Mantar/Sansad Chalo march)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Rapid Action Force (RAF) of CRPF (personnel deployed)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Constitutional tests of 'necessity, proportionality, and reasonableness' under Article 19 and 21

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which paramilitary force's personnel were deployed at Jantar Mantar during the protests mentioned in the news?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Supreme Court notice on pellet guns:

1. The Supreme Court directed the Centre to preserve the ammunition log of RAF personnel deployed at Jantar Mantar.

2. The petitioners argued that pellet guns are 'non-lethal' and cause no harm when used on crowds.

3. The UN Guidelines on Less Lethal Weapons caution against using such weapons on crowds.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasy

What was the age of Sahil Lochab, who was cited as a victim of pellet gun injury during the 20 July firing?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What constitutional tests did the petitioners argue pellet guns fail when used for crowd dispersal, as per the UN Guidelines?

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