- Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in outside the Parliament Street Police Station with pellet gun victim Sahil Lochab to demand the registration of an FIR regarding injuries sustained during the July 20 Gen Z protest.
- Gandhi's protest followed allegations that pellet guns were used by security personnel during the protests, which resulted in injuries to several students.
- Sahil Lochab had previously submitted a written complaint to the Delhi Police on August 14, but the police refused to provide details of the Investigating Officer.
- On August 17, Lochab attempted to follow up on his case via email and phone, but received no acknowledgment from the police.
- Last month, Gandhi publicly displayed Lochab's injuries, claiming that surgery had removed metallic pellets from his eye.
- During the protest, Gandhi emphasized that Lochab was peacefully protesting when he was injured, highlighting the use of lethal force against students.
- Gandhi's sit-in began after he was informed that the police had refused to register an FIR regarding Lochab's injuries.
- The July 20 protest saw violence erupt as students demanded the resignation of the then Education Minister over exam paper leaks.
- Despite the Congress party's claims, the Delhi Police has repeatedly denied using pellet guns during the protests.
- An investigation by India Today and accounts from injured protesters have raised questions about the police's denial of using pellet guns.
Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in outside a Delhi police station on Friday, accompanied by Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old pellet gun victim from the July 20 protests. They demanded the registration of an FIR after police allegedly refused to acknowledge Lochab's injuries sustained during the demonstration.1789
Gandhi's protest comes after he previously wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, condemning the "barbaric assault" on students and questioning the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters. "You are saying that protesters have been hit by pellet guns. I want to explain when pellet guns were fired. My brother was struck by a pellet gun when he was peacefully protesting with a tricolour in hand," Gandhi stated, highlighting Lochab's plight.26
Despite the Delhi Police's denial of using pellet guns, reports from injured protesters and investigations have raised doubts about this claim. The Congress party asserts that Lochab has repeatedly sought to file a complaint, but his attempts have been met with silence from the police. "As it’s a cognisable offence, an FIR also has to be registered, but Delhi police is not doing so," a Congress leader remarked.
Lochab, who lost vision in one eye due to the pellet injury, had undergone surgery to remove multiple metallic pellets. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability regarding police actions during the protests, which erupted over demands for the resignation of the then Education Minister due to exam paper leaks.5
The Supreme Court has established a High-Powered Expert Committee to investigate allegations of excessive force used during the protests, but Gandhi insists that immediate action is necessary to address Lochab's case.
“The Delhi Police cited a Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Expert Committee examining excessive force allegations, but Gandhi refuses to leave until an FIR is filed. Lochab, a 19-year-old, lost vision in one eye after surgery removed multiple metallic pellets.”
The Indian Express
