Police log shows a top-ranking cop authorised the use of pellet guns on protesters Times Now has accessed the General Diary entry made by the Delhi Police at the Parliament Street police station ahead of the July 20 student protest, where the use of pellet guns, tear gas and electric shells were authorised by top ranking officials. According to the entry made at 1:24 AM on July 20, an official of the rank of a Deputy Commissioner instructed personnel to use 55 non-electrical shells, 15 electrical shells, 5 tear gas grenades and 2 Anti-Riot Guns (ARG). Police officials have confirmed this entry exists in the police station's General Diary. The entry further states that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel fired pellet guns at the protesters upon the directions given by the DCP-rank officer. The report states that the officer directed personnel to deploy multiple crowd-control munitions. According to sources, a high-level meeting has been called at the Police headquarters over the GD entry, and it was also revealed that the DGP-rank official called for the use of pellet guns, but was not present at the location. An initial probe has been launched into the GD entry and major questions have emerged over why the entry in the log was reported two days after the actual incident took place. A General Diary is the official police station record that logs important events, movements of officiers, incidents and operational orders. Unlike an FIR, it is an administrative record that documents actions taken by the police. A GD entry is a significant piece of documentary evidence, as it records both the operation undertaken by the police and the authorisation of action by the officer on record. Delhi Police has alleged that 2,873 persons with criminal record were present at the Jantar Mantar protest site between July 20 and July 25, identified through the Facial Recognition System and other technical features, and is now investigating whether these individuals were involved in the violence that broke out at the protest site. According to police sources, of the 2,873 identified persons, 989 have prior involvements in heinous offences. The breakdown includes 101 persons involved in murder cases, 62 in attempt to murder, 284 in dacoity and robbery, 61 in rape, six in offences under the POCSO Act, 25 in molestation of women, 229 in offences under the Arms Act, 135 in snatching, 19 in kidnapping and 67 in narcotics and NDPS-related offences. With over 18 years of experience in broadcast and print journalism, Bhavatosh Singh has been with Times Now since 2005. Primary areas of interest incl... View More