Delhi Police registers FIR over student's pellet injury after Rahul Gandhi's protest

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Friday registered an FIR in connection with an alleged pellet-gun injury suffered by student protester Sahil Lochab during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on July 20. The development came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accompanied Lochab to the Deputy Commissioner of Police office and demanded action on his complaint alleging excessive use of force.

Following the registration of the FIR, Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in outside the police station, claiming that authorities had initially refused to accept the complaint. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined the protest.

According to Congress sources, Lochab and his lawyers had submitted a written complaint to Delhi Police on August 14, but were allegedly not given an acknowledgement or a complaint number. The complaint was reportedly followed up through email and phone on August 17.

The complaint pertains to police action and pellet-gun firing during a student march called 'Sansad Chalo' on July 20, held in protest against alleged irregularities in examinations and the NEET paper-leak controversy.

Speaking to reporters, Rahul Gandhi displayed pellets he said were removed from Lochab's body and claimed that more than 200 pellets were lodged in the student's body. He alleged that three pellets were lodged in Lochab's eye and that the student had lost vision in that eye. He also said some pellets were located near his heart and could not be removed.

Lochab said he was first admitted to Lady Hardinge Hospital after the injury and later referred to AIIMS, where he underwent surgery. "On 20th July, pellet guns were fired at me. I was admitted to Lady Hardinge, from there, I was referred to AIIMS. I underwent surgery at AIIMS. But the vision in my eye is still not clear," he said. He added that he had submitted a seven-page complaint through his lawyer on August 14.

Rahul Gandhi accused the police of refusing to register the FIR earlier and said this amounted to "the Constitution being trampled." He also questioned the Delhi Police's denial that its personnel had fired pellets. "If you did not fire them, then someone must have fired these pellets," he said.

The Congress leader directed criticism at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, whose ministry oversees the Delhi Police, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Such brutality against a peaceful protest is not just illegal — it's a serious crime," he said, demanding a judicial inquiry and action against those responsible.

The police action during the July 20 protest has triggered a political controversy, with opposition parties accusing the authorities of using excessive force. The Delhi Police has not yet issued an official statement on the specific allegations raised by Rahul Gandhi and Lochab.