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CRPF refused to share information on pellet use during student protests, says TMC leader Saket Gokhale
India🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive7 days ago

CRPF refused to share information on pellet use during student protests, says TMC leader Saket Gokhale

A Trinamool Congress leader, Saket Gokhale, alleges that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) refused to disclose information about the use of pellet guns during student protests in Delhi on July 20. Gokhale submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request seeking details on the ammunition logs, Rapid Action Force (RAF) operations, and the deployment of anti-riot forces. He highlighted that pellet gun use caused injuries, including potential blindness in one eye, and called it a human rights violation. The CRPF responded that it is exempt from disclosing such information under Section 24(1) of the RTI Act unless there are allegations of corruption or human rights violations. Gokhale argues that the situation falls under the human rights exception and has appealed the decision. Meanwhile, a student protester reported suffering 200 pellet wounds, with some impacting his eyes, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intervened to ensure a first information report (FIR) was filed.

A Trinamool Congress leader has accused the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) of refusing to disclose information about the use of pellet guns on unarmed protesters during demonstrations in Delhi on July 20, 2026. Saket Gokhale, a former Rajya Sabha MP, said he had filed an RTI application with the CRPF seeking details about the use of pellet ammunition by its Rapid Action Force (RAF) during the protests. In response, the CRPF stated that the allegations did not fall under exceptions related to human rights violations and therefore could not be disclosed under the RTI Act. Gokhale revealed that he had obtained hospital records through separate RTI applications, which indicated that nine individuals had sustained pellet gun injuries at Lady Hardinge Hospital and one individual at Safdarjung Hospital on July 20. However, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had refused to provide similar details, citing privacy protections. He said he intended to submit the CRPF’s response to the Supreme Court, arguing that the use of pellet guns on unarmed protesters constitutes a human rights violation. The protests on July 20 were organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in response to alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. Thousands of students participated in the demonstration, marching toward Parliament from Jantar Mantar. Security forces reportedly used lathis, tear gas, and pellet guns to disperse the crowd. Despite initial denials by authorities, evidence emerged suggesting that pellet guns had indeed been used, leading to several injuries. According to reports, the CRPF launched an internal inquiry into the incident. On July 27, The Indian Express cited unnamed officials stating that a CRPF personnel stationed in Connaught Place had fired at least seven rounds from a pellet gun, with five rounds hitting protesters and two striking the ground. A first information report (FIR) was filed on August 21 by a student named Sahil Lochav, who claimed to have sustained multiple pellet injuries. The FIR was filed shortly after a sit-in protest by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who reportedly insisted on the registration of the case before leaving the police station. Gokhale criticized the government for initially denying the use of pellet guns and later refusing to provide data on the number of victims. He argued that the CRPF’s claim that the use of pellet guns was not a human rights violation was unacceptable in a democratic society. He emphasized that the CRPF, despite being exempt from the RTI Act under Section 24, should still disclose information related to allegations of human rights violations. The Supreme Court had previously constituted a five-member committee to investigate allegations of excessive force during the July 20 protests. The committee was tasked with examining issues such as the use of pellet guns and ensuring transparency in the handling of the situation. Gokhale expressed hope that the court would address these concerns and hold the appropriate authorities accountable. Meanwhile, other developments in Delhi included the removal of nearly 47.7 lakh voters from the draft voter list, potentially reducing the electorate by 33%. Voters affected by the changes were given until September 30 to file objections. Additionally, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking mandatory ethanol content labeling on petrol pumps, directing the petitioner to approach the "competent authority" instead. These incidents highlight ongoing tensions between citizens' rights and state actions, particularly concerning transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices. As the legal process unfolds, the public awaits further clarity on the use of pellet guns during the protests and the implications for human rights in India.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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6 reports

Scroll.in logoScroll.inIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 807 days ago
SC dismisses plea seeking fuel pumps to disclose ethanol content in petrol

The Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition that sought mandatory disclosure of the ethanol content in petrol at fuel pumps. The petition, filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami, argued that consumers have a right to know the exact percentage of ethanol in the fuel they purchase. The court directed the petitioner to approach the 'competent authority' regarding the issue. The government's Ethanol Blended Petrol (E20) program requires all petrol sold in India to contain 20% ethanol, aiming to reduce fossil fuel dependence and boost sugarcane farmer incomes. However, some consumers report that the blend causes engine damage and reduced vehicle efficiency. Goswami emphasized that transparency is necessary, comparing it to ingredient labels on food products. The government's attorney general noted that similar challenges had been previously rejected. A recent survey indicated that over half of petrol vehicle owners believe the E20 rollout has been poorly managed.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both sides of the debate: the government's stance supporting the E20 program for environmental and economic benefits, and the critics' concerns about vehicle performance and lack of transparency. While the article mentions consumer complaints and a survey showing dissatisfaction

Why factuality (90): The article closely follows the primary source document, accurately reporting the Supreme Court's dismissal of the petition and the court's directive to the petitioner to approach the competent authority. It includes relevant background on the E20 program and quotes from both the petitioner and the

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting facts from both the petitioner and the government. It includes quotes from both sides and avoids taking a clear editorial stance, although it briefly highlights public sentiment through the opinion poll.

Hindustan Times logoHindustan TimesIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 757 days ago
No mandatory ethanol labels on petrol pumps for now, SC junks plea

The Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition demanding mandatory ethanol content labeling on petrol pumps, citing the central government's opposition to the request. The petition, filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami, argued that consumers have a right to know the ethanol percentage in petrol, similar to ingredient disclosures on food packaging. The court noted that the petitioner should address the issue with the appropriate authorities rather than approaching the judiciary directly. The government's E20 blending program, which promotes petrol with up to 20% ethanol, remains in place, and the court previously rejected challenges to this policy in 2025. Goswami emphasized that he was not opposing the ethanol-blending policy itself but sought transparency for consumer awareness.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the legal proceedings, highlighting both the petitioner's argument for consumer rights and the government's stance supporting the E20 policy. There is no overt ideological slant in the framing of the case, nor is there significant emphasis on any particular

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the Supreme Court's dismissal of the petition, aligns with the primary source document, and mentions the Centre's opposition. It provides context about the E20 program and the petitioner's arguments, though it does not include the full quote from the court's order.

Why objectivity (75): The article presents both sides of the argument, including the petitioner's stance and the government's position. However, it uses emotionally charged language like 'junks plea' and emphasizes consumer rights, which may lean slightly towards supporting the petitioner's viewpoint.

Hindustan Times logoHindustan TimesIndependentProgressiveFactual 80Objective 707 days ago
CRPF refused to share information on pellet use during student protests, says TMC leader Saket Gokhale

A Trinamool Congress leader, Saket Gokhale, alleges that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) refused to disclose information about the use of pellet guns during student protests in Delhi on July 20. Gokhale submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request seeking details on the ammunition logs, Rapid Action Force (RAF) operations, and the deployment of anti-riot forces. He highlighted that pellet gun use caused injuries, including potential blindness in one eye, and called it a human rights violation. The CRPF responded that it is exempt from disclosing such information under Section 24(1) of the RTI Act unless there are allegations of corruption or human rights violations. Gokhale argues that the situation falls under the human rights exception and has appealed the decision. Meanwhile, a student protester reported suffering 200 pellet wounds, with some impacting his eyes, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intervened to ensure a first information report (FIR) was filed.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as a human rights violation and emphasizes the lack of transparency from the CRPF, which aligns with progressive values. It highlights the concerns of activists and politicians like Gokhale and Rahul Gandhi, suggesting a left-leaning perspective on accountability and the

Why factuality (80): The article provides a concise summary of the Supreme Court's decision to quash FIRs against NEET protesters, matching the primary source. However, it lacks detailed context about the legal reasoning and the broader implications of the ruling, making it less comprehensive than the primary source.

Why objectivity (70): The article maintains a neutral tone overall but uses phrases like 'bars fresh cases' which might imply a negative stance toward the government's actions, introducing subtle bias.

The Hindu logoThe HinduIndependentProgressiveFactual 60Objective 707 days ago
Pellet gun usage during Delhi protest: CRPF says not liable to disclose any information in RTI reply

Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale has criticized the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for refusing to disclose information about the use of pellet guns during protests in Delhi on July 20, 2026. Gokhale submitted an RTI application to the CRPF seeking details about the use of pellet ammunition by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) against unarmed protesters. In its response, the CRPF stated that the use of pellet guns on demonstrators does not constitute a human rights violation and claimed exemption from the RTI Act. Gokhale has since shared the CRPF’s response and plans to submit it to the Supreme Court for review. He also highlighted hospital records showing at least ten individuals injured by pellet guns during the protests, though institutions like AIIMS refused to provide further details under privacy protections.

Bias read (Progressive): The article presents a critique of the CRPF's refusal to disclose information regarding the use of pellet guns during protests, which is framed as a potential human rights issue. The tone emphasizes concern over transparency and accountability, aligning with progressive values. The framing suggests疑

Why factuality (60): The article mentions the Centre's request to the Supreme Court to quash FIRs against NEET protesters and includes reactions from CJP members. However, it lacks specific details from the primary source, such as the exact dates of the protests and the court's full reasoning. Some information appears t

Why objectivity (70): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting the reactions of CJP members without overt bias. It includes some tangential information but remains focused on the main event.

Scroll.in logoScroll.inIndependentProgressiveFactual 60Objective 557 days ago
CRPF declined to share details of pellet gun use during youth protests under RTI, TMC leader says

Trinamool Congress spokesperson Saket Gokhale claimed that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) refused to disclose details about the use of pellet guns by its Rapid Action Force (RAF) during youth protests in Delhi on July 20, under the Right to Information Act. Gokhale argued that the request pertained to alleged human rights violations and sought records such as ammunition logs and deployment details. The CRPF responded that the allegations did not fall under the human rights exemption and that the requested information was operational and security-related. Despite the CRPF's denial, reports indicate that 10 individuals were treated for pellet injuries, and an internal inquiry by the CRPF found that at least seven rounds were fired from pellet guns during the event. A student named Sahil Lochav filed a complaint with the Delhi Police based on his injury.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue through the lens of human rights concerns and criticizes the CRPF's refusal to provide transparency, aligning with progressive viewpoints. It highlights the potential misuse of force against peaceful protesters and questions the legitimacy of the CRPF's stance, using evc

Why factuality (60): This article focuses on the RTI petition regarding pellet gun use and does not directly address the main event of the FIR quashing. As such, it lacks alignment with the primary source document and fails to cover the core issue of the Supreme Court's decision.

Why objectivity (55): The article is primarily focused on a different issue (pellet gun use) and does not maintain neutrality on the main topic. Its limited coverage and focus on a tangential matter reduce its objectivity score.

Scroll.in logoScroll.inIndependentCenterFactual 0Objective 07 days ago
Rush Hour: 33% voters deleted from Delhi draft list, SC stays FIR against ‘Mohammed’ Deepak & more

Delhi's draft voter list has seen the deletion of approximately 33% of voters, reducing the total electorate to around 97.5 lakh from 1.45 crore. The removed voters were categorized as having permanently shifted, deceased, absent, duplicate entries, or falling under an unspecified 'other' category. Affected individuals have until September 30 to challenge their removal. In a separate development, the Supreme Court stayed an FIR against Mohammed Deepak, a gym owner in Dehradun who opposed the harassment of a Muslim shopkeeper by alleged Bajrang Dal members. The court also stayed an order from the Uttarakhand High Court restricting Deepak from discussing the case on social media. Additionally, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Saket Gokhale criticized the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for refusing to disclose details about the use of pellet guns during protests in Delhi, arguing that such information relates to potential human rights violations.

Bias read (Center): The article presents multiple political developments without overtly favoring any side. It reports on changes to the voter list, legal actions involving religious groups, and a dispute over transparency in law enforcement. The tone remains neutral, presenting facts and quotes from various parties.

Why factuality (0): This article covers a completely different event related to voter lists and legal cases in Delhi. It has no connection to the primary source document or the ethanol labeling issue being discussed in the other articles.

Why objectivity (0): As this article discusses a different topic entirely, it cannot be assessed for objectivity in relation to the ethanol labeling issue. It is unrelated to the event covered in the primary source document.

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