ISLAMABAD: India’s Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi staged a high-profile sit-in protest outside Delhi’s Parliament Street Police Station on Friday, demanding the registration of an FIR over the alleged use of pellet guns against a student protester during last month’s demonstrations in the capital.
The protest ended after Delhi Police registered a formal case.
The Hindu reported that Rahul Gandhi arrived at the police station alongside 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab, who claims to have suffered pellet injuries during a July 20 protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, later joined the protest, which continued for more than five hours.
Speaking outside the police station, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Sahil had been trying to get an FIR registered for nearly a month, but police repeatedly refused to act, reports Times of India.
“A crime has happened. All we are demanding is that an FIR be registered so justice can begin,” Gandhi said, talking to the media, adding that police had told the family they were acting under “orders from above.”
Congress cites AIIMS medical report
Rahul Gandhi claimed an AIIMS medical report showed that more than 200 pellets remained lodged in Sahil’s body, including pellets in one eye, leaving him with impaired vision. He said some pellets were located close to vital organs and could not be removed safely.
Sahil Lochab told reporters that he underwent surgery after the incident, but his eyesight has not fully recovered.
“On July 20, pellet guns were fired at me. I was treated at Lady Hardinge Hospital and later shifted to AIIMS. I submitted a detailed complaint, but no FIR was registered,” he said.
Delhi Police register case after protest
Following the prolonged sit-in, Delhi Police registered an FIR based on Sahil Lochab’s complaint, prompting Rahul Gandhi to end the protest.
Calling it “the first step towards justice,” Gandhi said that the family’s struggle had finally resulted in legal action after weeks of inaction.
According to Indian media reports, the FIR has been registered under provisions related to causing hurt with dangerous means and acts endangering human life.
Pellet gun controversy intensifies
The use of pellet guns during the July 20 student protests has become a major political issue in India. Congress accuses Delhi Police of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators, while police have denied firing pellet guns at protesters.
However, Indian media reported that an entry in the police station’s daily diary mentioned the use of anti-riot guns and plastic pellets by Rapid Action Force personnel during crowd-control operations at the protest site.
Supreme Court orders independent inquiry
The controversy has also reached India’s Supreme Court, which has constituted a five-member high-powered committee headed by retired Justice R. Subhash Reddy to investigate allegations of police excesses as well as violence during the July protests.
BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of political drama
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party criticized Rahul Gandhi’s sit-in, saying the Supreme Court was already examining the matter.
BJP president J P Nadda accused Gandhi of engaging in “camera-centric politics” and questioned why he staged a protest while an inquiry was underway. Union minister Smriti Irani also dismissed the protest as political posturing rather than genuine advocacy for students.