On 20 July, a mass protest in Delhi’s central districts turned violent, with police reportedly using wooden sticks, batons and tear gas against crowds demanding education reforms and the resignation of the education minister.
In the following days, four protestors were taken to hospitals where doctors noted strange round punctures on skin and internal organs. Shots’ forensic analysis points to pellet guns—shotguns loaded with small lead projectiles used mainly for bird hunting, which when fired at crowds disperse a wide arc of pellets.
Expert Philip Boyce described injuries as “definitely from a pellet gun” and highlighted that even at distances over 50 feet the bullet impacts can be serious. NR Jenzen‑Jones of ARES added the same, noting the prevalence of “birdshot” cartridges in Indian law‑enforcement arsenals.
The four victims—two men named Mohit and Shaikh Irshad Mansoori, and two others—shared X‑ray images that show 26 to 40 embedded pellets. Mohit, a 28‑year‑old journalist, reported pain and a fear of future complications. Irshad Mansoori had 40 pellets inside his body including one in the neck, which was left lodged because removal was too risky.
Police officials have repeatedly denied that pellet guns were used, calling such claims “completely false and misleading.” Statements from Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force, a paramilitary sub‑unit, emphasise that they only used tear gas. However, several media outlets report that officers who fired the pellets are under the Central Reserve Police Force, overseen by Home Minister Amit Shah.
Political reactions are mounting. In parliament, Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed only tear gas was used. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, demand that the Home Minister be sacked. The controversy is drawing international human‑rights attention, recalling the 2010‑present use of pellet guns in Kashmir where over 17 deaths and many injuries have been recorded.
Sahil Lochab, a 19‑year‑old university student accompanying Rahul Gandhi at a press conference, displayed dozens of tiny holes on his upper body, indicating a similar pellet‑gun assault.
If the allegations are proven, Delhi would be the first Indian capital to record pellet‑gun use against its own citizens.
