Pellet guns part of graded police response, says SC
Top court touches on ‘exceptional circumstances’ for their use without expanding on it; state must not meet students’ protests with brutality, Bench says, but flags the possible ‘hijacking’ of protestsThe Supreme Court on Thursday said the use of pellet guns by the police in “exceptional circumstances” was part of a graded approach to break civilian protests.
The court, however, did not expand on which “exceptional circumstances” justified the use of pellet guns, nor did it ask the Union government for an explanation during the hearing.
“Police rules allow the use [of pellet guns] in exceptional circumstances. One of the graded responses is the use of pellet guns,” Justice Joymalya Bagchi, one of the three judges on the Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, observed orally. Hesitant to consider a blanket ban on pellet guns, the court said it would examine particular incidents during which the police had used pellet guns indiscriminately or arbitrarily in violation of the standard regulations mapping graded responses for crowd control.
The court was hearing a petition filed by former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Yashovardhan Azad, and two pellet injury victims, Prashant Kumar Singh and Shekh Irshad Mansoori, primarily for a direction to ban the use of kinetic metallic pellets by law enforcement agencies on civilian assemblies.
The petition argued that the use of projectile-activated guns (PAG) or pellet guns loaded with partly or wholly metallic pellets for crowd dispersal fails the constitutional tests of necessity, proportionality, and reasonableness.
Though the court “completely agreed” that the state must meet students’ protests with non-violence and not brutality, the Bench flagged the possibility of unscrupulous elements “hijacking” a bona fide students’ protest, driving it into a spiral of violence.
During the WAVES Summit in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined India's developing position in the global creative economic sector. During his opening address, India earned the description of an "orange economy" because cultural and creative sectors drive both financial growth and job creation. Rajnikanth and Mukesh Ambani joined
The Mahahtra government achieved a historical milestone by returning to India the historic sword of Raghuji Bhosale I during a Sotheby’s auction in London, which belonged to a notable 18th-century Maratha ruler. The state of Mahahtra achieves its first success in acquiring historical artifacts from international auctions. The bidding
Stay updated with The Hindu Editorial Vocab24 app, your definitive source for breaking news and comprehensive coverage from India and around the globe. Whether it's political developments, business updates, sports highlights, the latest technology trends, or current events, The Hindu brings live, accurate, and reliable news directly to your device.
Don’t fall for sensationalized or fake news shared online. Read and share accurate updates with friends and family through The Hindu Editorial Vocab24 app. Download it today!
News Coverage in The Hindu Editorial Vocab24 App
Breaking News: Receive instant notifications on breaking news stories as they unfold. Stay informed about major events and developments in India and around the world with live blogs, news in shorts videos, and concise articles.
Politics: Get the latest updates on Indian politics, including elections, policy changes, government decisions, and political events that shape the nation.
Business and Economy: Stay ahead in the economic landscape with detailed business news and market analysis. Learn about stock market trends, financial reports, corporate news, and economic developments to make informed investment decisions.
Current Events: Follow stories on social issues, policy changes, global events, and daily current affairs, tailored for UPSC and other competitive exam preparations.
Technology: Keep up with the latest gadgets, innovations, and tech trends. Read expert reviews and analyses in short, concise updates on cutting-edge technology from India and beyond.
Sports: Never miss a moment of your favorite sports. Get live scores, match reports, and expert analysis on cricket, football, tennis, and more.
International News: Stay informed about global events and geopolitical developments, including the Russia-Ukraine war, Israel-Palestine conflict, and other key international stories.
Local News: Stay connected to your community with the latest updates on city events, issues, and local news. Coverage includes hyperlocal updates from cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, and more.
Trending Topics: Discover what's trending today with the most talked-about stories and hot topics across India and the world.
Experience journalism that values integrity, accuracy, and reliability. Download The Hindu Editorial Vocab24 app today and stay connected with the world.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
