The Supreme Court today directed the Delhi government to provide proper medical treatment to persons injured by the alleged use of pellet guns during recent students’ protest in the national capital. The three judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was hearing a plea alleging the use of metallic pellet guns on students protesting at Jantar Mantar and other parts of Delhi.
During the hearing, the bench said that police rules permit the use of pellet guns in exceptional circumstances and said that unless the rules themselves are challenged, the use of such weapons cannot be considered illegal.
The petitioners sought a direction to phase out or prohibit the use of metallic or partially metallic kinetic projectiles fired from pump-action rifles and projectile-action guns for dispersing civilian crowds during law enforcement operations. The petition also sought directions to ensure comprehensive medical treatment, long-term care, and rehabilitation for the victims.
