Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday sat on dharna outside the DCP office in Delhi after the police refused to file FIR of a pellet gun victim.
Gandhi was with by Sahil Lochav, a 19-year-old student who suffered multiple pellet injuries during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest. The demonstration had sought the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over issues concerning examinations and the education system.
According to Congress sources cited by ANI, Lochav had approached Delhi police to register a complaint on August 14. The party sources alleged that the police refused to give an I/O number.
"It was again pursued on 17th with email, phone as well. Again, no I/O number given. No acknowledgement was also given. Now, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi went along with the victim to insist. 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 is not doing so. Rahul Gandhi is insisting on I/O and FIR." Congress sources told ANI.
Gandhi and Lochav first visited the Mandir Marg police station before proceeding to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) at Parliament Street. Party MP Kumari Selja is also present on the occasion.
“Rahul Gandhi first went to Mandir Marg police station. Because the case was not registered there, he went to meet DCP (Central). He will not return till the case is registered,” a Congress leader told The Indian Express.
The Congress has alleged that security forces used pellet-firing weapons while security forces were dispersing demonstrators during the July 20 “Sansad Chalo” march.
Later Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, said that Lochav's vision in one eye is "now at risk" due to the pellet gun induced injuries.
He demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah's explanation on the police "brutality" against the students.
"Now, when Sahil wants to file an FIR for justice, even that is not being allowed. In this way, the Constitution and constitutional rights are being trampled upon," he said.
"Why are you so scared of justice? This fear shows that you are admitting to your crime. The FIR will be filed. A judicial inquiry will take place. And action will be taken against everyone—from top to bottom—who is guilty of this brutality. We will ensure justice for Sahil, and every student victim like him," he added.
Delhi Police has denied allegations that its personnel fired pellet guns during the July 20 protest, saying such weapons are not part of its armoury.
“Reports claiming that police forces are using pellet guns against peaceful protesters are completely false and misleading,” Delhi Police had said while responding to the allegations.
Subsequent reports, however, cited a General Diary entry at Parliament Street police station stating that RAF personnel deployed at Jantar Mantar fired two rounds using ballistic cartridges containing plastic pellets from an anti-riot gun during the crowd-control operation.
