Pellet guns, stun batons used against protesters in Delhi; the police deny

The protester was allegedly injured by firearms during the police action. Photo: Special arrangement.

At least one of the 80 protesters injured in police action during a march to Parliament called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday (July 20, 2026) suffered gunshot wounds, according to a source at Lady Hardinge Medical College, where the victim is being treated.

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A friend of protester Shaikh Irshad Mansoori (25) told The Hindu that Mr Mansoori was hit near Palika Bazaar in Connaught Place by a jawan in Rapid Action Force (RAF) uniform.

This appears to be the first known instance of security forces using firearms on civilians in Delhi. On Tuesday (July 21), a video of a woman stunned with a shock baton appeared. This is also the first known case of use of stun batons, which deliver a mild electric shock, in Delhi.

Pellet guns and stun batons are part of the armament of the RAF, the anti-riot unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which was deployed alongside the Delhi Police in and around Jantar Mantar on Monday (July 20) during a protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

While the CRPF did not comment, in response to a video shared by CJP Saurav Das on X showing Mr Mansoori’s injuries, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in New Delhi said: “Reports claiming that police forces are using firearms against peaceful protesters are completely false and misleading. The public is strongly advised not to share or forward official information from official sources before publishing or forwarding any unverified information.”

Also read: A “non-lethal” pellet

It is used against farmers

The bullets fired from the pistols, which penetrate the skin when fired from a distance, were last known to have been used during the 2024 farmers’ protest at the Khanauri and Shambhu border along the Punjab-Haryana border. Although police at the time denied the use of firearms, farm managers claimed several people were injured. In 2023, weapons were used against protesters in ethnic strife-torn Manipur, leading to huge public outrage. In the past, firearms were used in Jammu and Kashmir during the 2016 riots, which left several people partially or completely blind.

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Personnel wearing ‘Nagaland Armed Police’ badge amid CJP protests on 20 July 2026.

CJP Protesters and police personnel clash in New Delhi.

Police personnel look on as protesters block the streets as part of the CJP protest.

CJP Protester alleges police brutality in video shot on his phone.

Police personnel cleaning a broken bus outside the Janpath Metro Gate 3, in the evening during a CJP protest.

Protesters after the CJP protest on 20 July 2026.

Graffiti near Jantar Mantar on the day of CJP protest in New Delhi.

Heavy police deployment was witnessed in Delhi during the CJP protest.

Delhi Police car smashed and overturned outside Janpath Metro in New Delhi.

People, including CJP protesters, inside Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, during a CJP protest, New Delhi.

A poster reading ‘we will no longer be silent’ near Kerala House in Delhi at night on the CJP protest.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke cries at a rally of protesters outside Kerala House in New Delhi.

Demonstrators rebuilt the stage at Jantar Mantar on the night of 20 July 2026 after widespread protests.

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Another injury

During the day, Mr. Mansoori underwent surgery to remove pellets lodged in his upper body. “His surgery was successful and the pellets under his eyes were removed, but one from his neck could not be removed because it was close to a blood vessel. He may require another surgery for the same,” the source said.

According to a hospital source, the number of injured rose to 83 during the evening, including both civilians and police officers. The source added that another protester was shifted to AIIMS with an eye injury, which was also likely to be caused by pellets. The 15-year-old protester, who sustained further injuries, was taken to Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital.

On Tuesday (July 21), Union Health Minister JP Nadda visited the hospital at noon and met Mr. Mansoori. The friend, who was signing his hospital consent, said: “He has about 30-40 injuries on his face and all over his body. According to doctors, four of them, including one in his neck, penetrated deeply and that is why he is undergoing surgery.”

Mr. Mansoori, originally from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, works in a private company in Gurugram and took part in the protests in solidarity. He had some visa-related work in Delhi to complete after the protest on Monday (July 20).

The friend added that when Mr Nadda visited the hospital and asked him why he was at the protest site, Mr Mansoori told him that “problems in the education system” had brought him there.

Other than Mr. Mansoori, a 21-year-old woman, Sakshi, who was critically injured in the police action, was admitted in critical condition to the intensive care unit of Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Her family members said she was conscious and in better condition than the day before. Doctors refused to comment on the nature of her injuries.

Published – 21 Jul 2026 23:10 IST