Pellet gun use in student protests raises governance and human rights concerns
Contents3
Hindustan Times - India · 23 Aug 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Polity Mains · GS2 Governance High relevance
Delhi Police registered an FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after a 19-year-old student alleged suffering 200 pellet injuries during a protest, highlighting issues of police accountability and protest rights.
Key points
FIR registration: Delhi Police filed an FIR under Sections 118 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) after Rahul Gandhi's 6-hour dharna, acknowledging pellet gun use during July 20 protests.
Student allegations: 19-year-old Sahil Lochab claimed he suffered 200 pellet injuries, including permanent eye damage, during a protest against NEET paper leaks and police recruitment exam cheating.
Legal provisions: Section 118 BNS deals with voluntarily causing hurt using dangerous weapons, while Section 125 relates to acts endangering personal safety, marking a significant legal response to protest violence.
Medical evidence: Lochab's CT scan showed pellets lodged near his heart and right eye, with doctors confirming permanent vision loss and long-term treatment requirements.
Political involvement: Rahul Gandhi's intervention forced police action after Lochab's 8-day struggle to register complaints at multiple police stations, exposing gaps in access to justice.
Police response: Authorities initially resisted FIR registration, deploying paramilitary forces and barricades during Gandhi's protest, reflecting systemic challenges in addressing police excesses.
[GS2-Governance] This case tests India's police accountability mechanisms under the Model Police Act framework and raises questions about proportionate force use in crowd control.
[GS4-Ethics] The incident highlights ethical dilemmas in law enforcement balancing public order maintenance with fundamental rights to peaceful assembly under Article 19(1)(a).
Way Forward: India should establish clear protocols for non-lethal crowd control, mandate body cameras for riot police, and create independent investigation mechanisms for protest-related injuries.
Key terms
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- India's new criminal code replacing IPC, effective from July 2024. Sections 118 (voluntarily causing hurt with weapons) and 125 (endangering life) are particularly relevant for UPSC as they redefine criminal liability in protest contexts and police actions.
- FIR (First Information Report)
- A written document prepared under Section 154 CrPC (now Section 173 BNS) recording cognizable offenses. For UPSC, its registration process and delays reflect governance efficiency and access to justice - key GS2 topics.
- Proportionate Force Doctrine
- Constitutional principle derived from Article 21 requiring state actions to be necessary and minimal. UPSC relevance lies in its application to police reforms and fundamental rights jurisprudence.
- Medical Legal Certificate (MLC)
- Documentary evidence of injuries crucial for criminal cases. For UPSC, understanding MLC procedures connects to GS2's 'Accountability and Ethical Governance' and GS4's medical ethics dimensions.
Practice question
The recent use of pellet guns on protesting students in Delhi has raised serious concerns about police accountability and human rights. Critically examine the legal and governance challenges in balancing public order maintenance with the right to peaceful protest in India. (250 words, 15 marks)
GS2 15 marks 250 words Mains
Key terms to include: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Proportionate Force Doctrine FIR (First Information Report) Article 21 Model Police Act Medical Legal Certificate (MLC) Right to peaceful assembly Police accountability
Answer framework
Introduction
Briefly introduce the incident of pellet gun use on protesting students in Delhi, highlighting the tension between maintaining public order and protecting democratic rights.
Legal Framework and Accountability
Discuss the provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 118 and 125 in context of police actions
Examine the challenges in FIR registration and access to justice for victims of police excesses
Governance Challenges
Analyze the gaps in police accountability mechanisms under the Model Police Act
Evaluate the need for independent investigation mechanisms for protest-related injuries
Human Rights and Proportionality
Discuss the doctrine of proportionate force in context of Article 21 and right to life
Examine the ethical dilemmas in using non-lethal weapons like pellet guns that cause permanent damage
Way Forward
Suggest reforms like mandatory body cameras for riot police
Propose clear protocols for non-lethal crowd control and training in de-escalation techniques
Conclusion
Emphasize the need for balancing public order with democratic rights through institutional reforms and strict adherence to proportionality principle.