Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in outside the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi on Friday, demanding the registration of an FIR over the alleged use of pellet guns during a student protest on July 20.
Gandhi arrived at the police station along with 19-year-old student Sahil Lochav, who has alleged that he suffered pellet injuries during the protest at Jantar Mantar. The student reportedly suffered serious injuries, including damage to his eye.
Gandhi met senior Delhi Police officials, including DCP Sachin Sharma, to seek action on Lochav’s complaint. According to Congress sources, Lochav had submitted a written complaint to Delhi Police on August 14 but had not received an acknowledgement or details of the investigating officer. The complaint was subsequently followed up through email and phone, the sources said.
After the police did not register the FIR, Gandhi sat on a dharna outside the police station along with Lochav and his family. He insisted that the case be formally registered and that those responsible for the alleged use of pellet guns be held accountable.
The July 20 protest, held during the Parliament march, had led to allegations that security personnel used excessive force against demonstrators. Delhi Police and security forces have denied the allegations of pellet-gun firing, while several protesters have come forward claiming to have suffered pellet injuries. The Central Reserve Police Force has also initiated an internal review of the actions taken by its Rapid Action Force during the protest.
Gandhi has repeatedly questioned who authorised the alleged use of pellet guns against the protesters. Earlier, he had publicly highlighted Lochav’s injuries and demanded accountability from the government and security authorities.
The sit-in on Friday escalated the political confrontation over the incident, with Gandhi maintaining that the victim’s complaint should be registered and investigated through due legal process. BJP leaders, meanwhile, criticised Gandhi’s protest, arguing that the matter was already subject to investigation.
The standoff at the Parliament Street Police Station has once again brought attention to questions surrounding police action during protests, the alleged use of excessive force and the demand for accountability in cases involving injuries to demonstrators.
