The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has launched a verification exercise into allegations that its personnel used excessive force, including pellet guns, during the ongoing student protests in Delhi, PTI reported on Friday, citing officials. The move follows increasing scrutiny over the force's response to demonstrators during the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the alleged NEET paper leak.
The development comes a day after India Today Digital and several other media outlets reported that multiple protesters suffered pellet gun injuries during the July 20 march, based on accounts from those injured and supporting medical records.
The reports described the incident as an unusual instance of pellet guns allegedly being used during a protest in the national capital. However, Delhi Police denied the claim, stating that it neither possesses nor uses pellet guns for crowd control, according to PTI.
CRPF to review sequence of events
Officials said the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), under which the RAF operates, has instructed the RAF Inspector General to reconstruct the sequence of events surrounding the operation.
The verification will assess both the actions taken by RAF personnel to manage the protesters and the reported attacks on members of the force during the clashes.
CRPF officials clarified that no formal Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered so far. They said the current verification is aimed at establishing the facts, after which a decision will be made on whether a formal inquiry is necessary.
The 'Chalo Sansad' march began from Jantar Mantar on July 20 under the banner of the CJP, with protesters demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.
The demonstration later turned violent, resulting in clashes between protesters and security personnel.
RAF examining videos and photographs
Officials said the RAF has taken note of several videos and photographs circulating on social media showing personnel in the force's signature blue camouflage uniform.
The visuals reportedly show RAF personnel carrying batons and firearms during crowd-control operations, while other videos appear to show jawans being surrounded and assaulted by protesters.
A senior CRPF officer said all legal procedures governing the review of personnel conduct during operational deployments would be followed.
Officials also confirmed that the RAF is equipped with 12-bore pump-action guns, commonly known as pellet guns, as part of its riot-control equipment.
According to the standard operating procedure (SOP), these weapons may only be used in extreme situations where personnel face serious danger.
The SOP also requires the guns to be fitted with a deflector to ensure that metal or rubber pellets strike only the lower part of the body, reducing the risk of serious injuries.
The ongoing verification is also examining videos that allegedly show RAF personnel being attacked by protesters, footage of a jawan appearing to trip a fleeing demonstrator, and another clip claiming that a stun gun was used against a protester.
