July 20 crackdown: One DCP approved pellets, another authorised firearms

A document seen by Newslaundry shows that a Deputy Commissioner of Police, acting with the powers of an Executive Magistrate, authorised the Rapid Action Force to use tear gas, lathi charge and firearms against protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 20.

This document is separate from a general diary entry at Parliament Street police station, reported earlier by The Hindu, which recorded a second officer of DCP rank authorising the use of the pellet gun against the same protest. Together, the two records indicate that authorisations for such force against the July 20 protest were issued by more than one officer of DCP rank.

The document names Sachin Sharma, DCP New Delhi, as the officer who issued the authorisation to disperse demonstrators taking part in the Chalo Sansad March, organised as part of the CJP protest in Delhi. It is titled “card to be provided by RAF/CRPF contingent officer” and is signed by Sharma.

It states: “I, Sachin Sharma, Executive Magistrate of the highest rank present at New Delhi District, Jantar Mantar, acting under Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Section 130 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973), require No. 104., Rank Assistant Commandant Dilwar of Unit D/103, to disperse the unlawful assembly using gas/lathi charge/fire arms and/or to arrest and confine the persons forming part thereof (with the help of the armed forces under his command) at 5 pm (approximately) on 20/07/26 at 1700 hours in New Delhi district.”

The previously reported diary entry stated that DCP North Raja Bhatiya, on duty along with Deputy Commandant Satish Kumar Sangwan of B-108 RAF, ordered the RAF to act to control protesters during the CJP protest. According to the entry, the RAF used 55 non-electric shells, 15 electric shells, five tear smoke grenades, one anti-riot gun, and two rounds of plastic pellets during the operation.

Section 70(1)(b) of the Delhi Police Act, 1978 empowers the government to confer the powers of an Executive Magistrate on police officers of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and above. A DCP, being a rank above ACP, can therefore exercise those powers when duly empowered under the Act.

The authorisation is significant because RAF personnel do not take such decisions themselves. An RAF official deployed at Jantar Mantar had earlier told Newslaundry that the force cannot decide on its own to use a 12-bore pump-action gun; if the situation warrants it, the decision rests with the Executive Magistrate present at the spot. The official said the process involves formal documentation, including a written authorisation signed by the Executive Magistrate.

Newslaundry reached out to DCP Sachin Sharma to ask why he authorised the use of firearms against protesters. This report will be updated if a response is received.

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