CRPF Opens Inquiry Into Rapid Action Force Role in CJP Protest Pellet Gun Injuries

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has opened an internal inquiry to determine whether personnel from its Rapid Action Force (RAF) used pellet guns during the July 20 crackdown on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters marching toward Parliament.

At least three individuals have received hospital treatment for pellet injuries sustained during the rally: 19-year-old Delhi University student Sahil Lochab, 25-year-old Gurgaon resident Irshad Sheikh, and a 28-year-old journalist with Outlook magazine.

CRPF Inquiry and Operational Directives

The CRPF unit is examining the chain of events to determine how pellet munitions were deployed during the July 20 demonstration. The Centre has additionally instructed the CRPF to refrain from using pellet guns while deployed on crowd control duty at the Jantar Mantar protest site.

A CRPF spokesperson stated that the force is "comprehensively enquiring into the whole gamut of events" and that detailed comment would be premature while the probe remains ongoing.

Documented Injuries and Medical Reports

• Sahil Lochab (19): Admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre with facial and ocular pellet wounds. Senior AIIMS officials confirmed he underwent surgery on July 21 and remains in stable condition under observation.
• Irshad Sheikh (25): Treated at Lady Hardinge Hospital for pellet injuries before receiving a visit from Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda.
• Outlook Journalist (28): Received medical evaluation at Safdarjung Hospital on July 22, where hospital documentation noted multiple small entry wounds across the arm, chest, and back consistent with pellet strikes.

Official Statements

Delhi Police previously issued a public statement on Tuesday describing allegations of pellet gun usage against protesters as false. However, subsequent hospital admissions and medical reports confirmed three distinct cases of pellet-related injuries among rally participants.

What we can verify

• CRPF has ordered an inquiry into the sequence of events and RAF involvement during the July 20 protest crackdown. — The Indian Express
• Three victims—Sahil Lochab, Irshad Sheikh, and an unnamed Outlook journalist—have documented hospital treatment for pellet injuries. — The Indian Express
• Centre issued instructions to CRPF avoiding pellet gun deployment at Jantar Mantar. — The Indian Express

What remains unverified

• Specific unit identification and individual officer responsibility for firing pellet rounds remain [unverified] pending CRPF findings.