CRPF begins pulling RAF companies out of Delhi after CJP protest

The Central Reserve Police Force is pulling 16 of its companies, including 12 Rapid Action Force units, off Delhi Police duties from July 31, an order issued by the DCP (1st Battalion) of Delhi Armed Police confirms. The move follows a Ministry of Home Affairs direction dated July 30 and lands squarely amid scrutiny of how RAF handled the crowd during the Cockroach Janta Party's July 20 march on Parliament.

The Indian Express, which first reported the withdrawal order, says the communication asked that relieving or substitute forces be arranged "at the earliest." Around 150 Central Armed Police Force companies, roughly 100 personnel each, had been deployed across Central Delhi during the CJP protest, with several airlifted from Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.

The order is not framed as a punishment. CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh had on Monday publicly backed personnel acting in the "bona fide discharge of their duties," telling them at the force's investiture ceremony: "I take responsibility for all those decisions and actions." On July 31, Singh visited the headquarters of RAF's 103 Battalion in Delhi, paid tribute at the Martyrs' Memorial, and addressed troops over video conference, urging them to "serve the nation with unwavering dedication," according to CRPF posts on X.

Why the scrutiny

The withdrawal shadows the pellet gun controversy that the RAF walked into on July 20. A general diary entry filed by the RAF at Parliament Street police station on July 22 revealed personnel fired two rounds from an anti-riot gun on the directions of an officer of DCP rank, after Delhi Police had repeatedly denied pellet use. The Hindu reports at least four people were injured, with one feared to lose vision in his right eye.

An internal RAF review subsequently flagged "serious operational lapses," with Inspector General (RAF) Seema Dhundhia telling company commanders the force gradient used that day did not match RAF training standards. Following the incident, the RAF withdrew shock batons, electric shields, pump-action guns and anti-riot guns from personnel deployed at Jantar Mantar.

What we can verify

• Withdrawal order exists and names 12 RAF units. The DCP (1st Battalion), Delhi Armed Police, issued it on an MHA direction dated July 30, effective July 31. — The Indian Express
• CRPF DG publicly backed his personnel. Gyanendra Pratap Singh said he takes responsibility for actions carried out in bona fide discharge of duty, and on July 31 visited RAF 103 Battalion to urge troops to serve with "unwavering dedication." — The Hindu
• Pellet use was confirmed despite initial denials. A July 22 general diary entry by the RAF at Parliament Street police station recorded two anti-riot gun rounds fired on a DCP's directions, with at least four injured. — The Hindu
• RAF pulled pellet-firing hardware off the line. Pump-action guns, anti-riot guns, electric shields and shock batons were withdrawn from Jantar Mantar deployment after the incident, per IG Seema Dhundhia's directions. — The Hindu

What remains unverified

• Whether the 16-company withdrawal is purely routine rotation or tied specifically to the pellet gun row — the IE report frames it as "amid scrutiny," but the order text cited does not state a cause.
• The final number of pellet injured, beyond the four cited by The Hindu. The Indian Express has separately reported three pellet injuries in earlier coverage; the precise count across outlets remains [unverified].

Updated 1 August 2026, 00:30 IST.