Delhi DCP authorised use of pellet guns in writing according to second diary entry

New Delhi: Fresh reports have indicated that a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), exercising the powers of an Executive Magistrate, had issued written authorisation permitting the Rapid Action Force (RAF) to use tear gas, lathi charge and firearms to disperse protesters during the July 20 demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

The development follows an earlier report by The Hindu, which said a general diary entry at Parliament Street police station recorded that another DCP-rank officer had authorised the use of pellet guns during the protest. The latest disclosures suggest that more than one DCP-rank officer sanctioned the use of force during the march, The Wire reported.

According to The Indian Express, the RAF fired an anti-riot gun twice at the directions of a Deputy Commissioner of Police during the protest. The report also quoted sources as saying that Delhi Police had submitted its report on the incident to the Union Home Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Press Information Bureau has not withdrawn its earlier denial that pellet guns were used during the crackdown.

Reports said Union Home Minister Amit Shah continues to face questions over allegations of police excesses during the July 20 protest. They also noted that both Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were absent during the parliamentary proceedings on July 28.

According to Newslaundry, a document bearing the signature of DCP Sachin Sharma authorised the RAF to disperse demonstrators. The document, described as a "card to be provided by RAF/CRPF contingent officer", directed the Assistant Commandant of the deployed RAF unit to disperse what was described as an unlawful assembly using gas, lathi charge, firearms or arrests under Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

Earlier, The Wire had reported and released video footage showing the use of a 12-bore pump-action gun during the protest, although security forces had not officially confirmed its deployment. Reports noted that such use would require written authorisation from an Executive Magistrate.

The previously reported RAF general diary entry stated that, acting on the orders of a Zone-1 DCP at Jantar Mantar, the force fired 55 non-electrical shells, 15 electrical shells, five tear-smoke grenades and two rounds of plastic-pellet ammunition from an anti-riot gun while attempting to disperse protesters. The RAF, a specialised anti-riot unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was operating under the operational control of the Delhi Police during the protest.

Under Section 70(1)(b) of the Delhi Police Act, 1978, police officers of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and above may be vested with the powers of an Executive Magistrate. As a rank senior to an ACP, a Deputy Commissioner of Police is authorised to exercise such powers.