Amnesty evidence lab finds Delhi Police force unprofessional

Amnesty International's Evidence Lab has verified that Delhi Police and other security forces used disproportionate force, including pellet-firing shotguns and tear gas, against protesters in Delhi and Siwan, Bihar, between July 20 and 24. The rights body said the force breached domestic policing guidelines and international law, contradicting Delhi Police's denial of excessive force and its claim before the Supreme Court that the response was 'professional'.

Amnesty verified 17 videos from central Delhi and two from Siwan, showing officers from Delhi Police, the Rapid Action Force and the CRPF. One video shows an RAF officer firing a shotgun into a crowd. Two protesters were seen with wounds consistent with birdshot, a hunting round not designed for law enforcement. Amnesty also found that no warning was given before firing, and tear gas was launched directly at protesters, violating UN guidelines.

Amnesty called on Indian authorities to order a prompt and impartial investigation into the use of force and to end the use of birdshot and electric shock devices. Aakar Patel, chair of Amnesty India, said the response was 'state-sanctioned violence masked as crowd control'. No action has been taken against any officer a month after the events.