A report published by The Hindu claiming that security forces used pellet guns against protesters during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led march to Parliament has been publicly refuted by the Delhi Police, which termed the allegation “completely false and misleading.”
The controversy began after The Hindu’s Special Correspondent Vijaita Singh reported that at least one protester had allegedly sustained pellet gun injuries during the police action on 20 July 2026.
Citing a source at Lady Hardinge Medical College, the report claimed that Shaikh Irshad Mansoori (25) was injured after allegedly being hit by pellets near Palika Bazaar by a Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel.
The report further described it as “the first known instance of security forces using pellet guns on civilians in Delhi” and also claimed that videos had emerged showing the use of shock batons against protesters.
Sharing the report on X, Vijaita Singh wrote, “In a first, pellet guns, shock-batons used against protesters in Delhi. Part of RAF’s gear for crowd control measures, pellets were last used during 2024 farmers protest in Haryana, Manipur (2023) and Kashmir (2016). Pellets can potentially blind the target. Though police denied and CRPF did not comment, at least one among 80 protesters injured during CJP march was operated upon at a govt hospital, pellets removed from under his eye and neck.”
However, shortly after the claim gained traction on social media, the Delhi Police issued a public fact-check rejecting the allegation.
In a statement posted on its official X account, Delhi Police said, “FACT CHECK Claims stating that Delhi Police forces used pellet guns against peaceful protesters yesterday are completely false and misleading. Delhi Police neither possess pellet guns nor do they use them in the ongoing protest. The public is requested not to share or circulate any unverified or misleading information.”
The police further urged members of the public to rely on official sources before sharing claims relating to the protests.
The Hindu’s report had also noted that while the CRPF did not comment on the allegations, Delhi Police had denied the use of pellet guns in response to videos circulating online.
Vijaita Singh’s History Of Spreading Fake News
Vijaita Singh has faced repeated criticism over her reporting on sensitive national security and law-and-order issues.
Manipur reporting (2023–2025): She published inflammatory and vague reports on the Manipur ethnic conflict that lacked context and risked aggravating communal tensions.
“We are not Indians” claim (March 2025): She highlighted a protester’s allegation that a security force member said, “We are not Indians,” despite the protester later clarifying that a superior officer intervened immediately. The report amplified an unverified claim without sufficient context.
Misleading ‘Meitei MLAs’ headline (January 2024): The Hindu later issued a clarification after a report described a resolution as being passed by “Meitei MLAs”, whereas it had been passed by 35 MLAs excluding the Kuki-Zo legislators. The original framing risked deepening communal divisions.
Coverage of N. Biren Singh and the Centre: She has repeatedly framed the then Manipur Chief Minister’s actions as a confrontation with the Central Government, which unnecessarily politicised an already volatile situation.
Disclosure of Army officers’ identities: Vijaita Singh also published the names of Army officers from Manipur, drawing comparisons to the 2008 Barkha Dutt controversy over operationally sensitive information.
Operation Sindoor coverage (2025): Faced criticism after The Hindu published and later deleted a social media post suggesting Indian fighter jets had crashed following Operation Sindoor. The report amplified misinformation before it was removed.
Pattern of reporting on Manipur: Her reports repeatedly highlighted unverified claims and misleading narratives that eroded trust in security forces and institutions during the Manipur conflict.
The latest episode has once again placed Vijaita Singh’s reporting under scrutiny. With Delhi Police publicly rejecting her pellet gun claim as “completely false and misleading,” the controversy adds to a growing list of instances where her reportage has been accused of relying on unverified claims, misleading framing, or narratives that were later corrected or disputed. For a journalist covering sensitive issues involving national security and law enforcement, accuracy and verification cannot be sacrificed in the race to break a story.
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