Police File FIR Following Rahul Gandhi Protest Over Pellet Injuries
Yesterday, Delhi Police lodged an FIR following a dharna led by Rahul Gandhi demanding action over pellet injuries sustained by a 19-year-old protester in July.
The police filing of an FIR regarding the pellet firing incident involving a 19-year-old follows recent tensions linked to Rahul Gandhi’s dharna, which drew widespread attention earlier this week. The incident, reported by The Indian Express and The Hindu, underscores ongoing concerns over the use of force during protests, with officials responding to allegations of harm to a young participant. While details remain under investigation, the case highlights the broader context of political demonstrations and their aftermath in the region. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has not yet commented on the specific FIR, but the event reflects the escalating scrutiny on public safety during such gatherings.
Outside the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi yesterday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sat in protest alongside Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old protester injured during a July 20 demonstration against the NEET paper leak. “Sahil wants to file an FIR, but that is not being allowed. If not Delhi Police, then who? We are only asking for justice for the family,” Gandhi told reporters, his voice steady as supporters raised slogans nearby. By evening, police had lodged an FIR over the pellet firing incident that left Lochab with injuries to his eyes and abdomen, marking a shift after weeks of stalled efforts to formalize the complaint (Indian Express).
The case traces back to a protest organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the NEET exam leak, which escalated into clashes with police. Lochab, who underwent surgery at AIIMS Trauma Centre following the incident, alleged he was hit by pellet fire during the crackdown. His attempts to file a complaint began on August 14, when he visited Mandir Marg police station with lawyers, but authorities reportedly did not provide an I/O number or acknowledgement. Follow-up attempts via email and phone on August 17 also yielded no formal recognition, according to the Congress party (The Hindu).
Yesterday’s dharna, attended by Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and dozens of party workers, intensified pressure on the police. Barricades were erected around the station as protesters attempted to breach the premises, chanting demands for accountability. Gandhi and Lochab first met the deputy commissioner of police (DCP) earlier in the day, reiterating calls for an FIR. “The DCP is again not giving the case officer and I/O number. As it’s a cognisable offence, a FIR also has to be registered, but Delhi police not doing so,” the Congress party stated (The Hindu).
The incident has become a flashpoint in ongoing debates over police conduct during protests. The July 20 demonstration, part of broader unrest over the NEET leak, led to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25. Gandhi has previously accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of overseeing “brutality” against protesters, claims the government has not directly addressed. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has not commented on the FIR or the allegations against the police (PIB).
As the investigation begins, questions persist about the circumstances of Lochab’s injuries and the delay in registering the FIR. The case also underscores the political stakes in high-profile protests, with the Congress party framing the dharna as a fight for procedural justice. With the FIR now filed, attention turns to how authorities will balance accountability with the broader context of public demonstrations in the capital.
Indian Express·The Hindu