‘No FIR, no move' : Rahul Gandhi stages dharna over student’s pellet injuries

A demand for an FIR turned into a political standoff on Friday, August 21, as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sat on a dharna at the Parliament Street police station with 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who was allegedly injured by pellets during a protest last month. Gandhi said he would not leave until a case was registered over Lochab's complaint.

Gandhi arrived at the police station with Lochab after first visiting the Mandir Marg police station, where they sought registration of an FIR but failed to get a response. At Parliament Street, Gandhi met Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sachin Sharma. When the discussion did not resolve the issue, the Congress leader sat down on a dharna at the police station, which also houses the DCP office.

Lochab and his mother remained with Gandhi, while Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh and other senior leaders joined the protest.

Gandhi alleged that police officials told them an FIR could not be registered because there were "orders from the top". He said the demand was simply for registration of the case and the name of the investigating officer.

"We are only saying that an FIR must be lodged. Sahil is here and his mother is accompanying him. The police officials are saying an FIR cannot be registered as there are orders from the top.

"Till an FIR is registered, we will not budge from here," Gandhi told reporters.

He also targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, questioning why the authorities had not acted on Lochab's complaint.

"Our only demand is FIR and the name of the investigating officer. We are only seeking justice for this family," he said.

Lochab suffered pellet injuries to his eye and abdomen during the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak and alleged examination irregularities. He later underwent surgery at the AIIMS Trauma Centre.

Gandhi cited Lochab's medical records while questioning the Delhi Police version that its personnel had not used pellet guns.

"Three pellets were found in his eye. This is the hospital report which clearly states that. Delhi Police said they did not use pellet guns, but someone must have used pellet guns. The crime has happened as his body had pellets."

The complaint had been pending for several days before Gandhi accompanied Lochab to the police station. Sources said Lochab went to the police with his lawyers on August 14 and submitted a written complaint, but no FIR was registered. The matter was pursued again through email and phone on August 17, but there was no acknowledgement from the police, they said.

Gandhi had also raised the issue on X, alleging that Lochab was injured during a peaceful protest and questioning the lack of action on his complaint.

"Such brutality against a peaceful protest is not just illegal -- it is a serious crime. Neither has Home Minister Amit Shah offered any explanation to the students for this cruelty, nor has the Prime Minister apologised to them," he said.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who joined the dharna, said the party would continue the protest until the FIR was registered.

"Our demand is simple, register an FIR and give us the FIR number. LoP Rahul Gandhi is giving voice to this demand," Ramesh told reporters at the Parliament Street police station.

"Sahil has demanded an FIR on the illegal action of using a pellet gun by the police. Rahul ji is clear that until a new FIR is registered, we will not leave from here," he said.

Ramesh accused the BJP of trying to communalise the situation, evade accountability and divert attention towards what he described as "non-issues". He said Lochab had no political affiliation and was among those protesting over examination-related concerns.

"An Indian youth anguished by the paper leak in the Staff Selection Commission was protesting on July 20. He did not belong to any political party, he had no political affiliation and a pellet gun was used on him," Ramesh said.

Lochab lost sight in one eye and had pellet marks across his body, Ramesh claimed.

"I don't see what in the law, what in the Constitution, what in the practice of good governance, prevents Delhi Police from registering an FIR in the case of Sahil," he said.

The Congress leader also said the party was acting within its constitutional right to protest peacefully.

Delhi Police, meanwhile, said Lochab's complaint would be forwarded to the Crime Branch, which is already probing complaints related to the July 20 protest.

"The New Delhi DCP is in touch with Gandhi. As the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police is probing all the complaints, Lochab's complaint will also be forwarded to the Crime Branch for further investigation."

Sources said the DCP did not provide details of the case officer or an FIR number.

Gandhi said he would continue to pursue the matter and demanded action against those responsible.

"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," Gandhi said.

The July 20 agitation was led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and focused on the NEET paper leak and alleged irregularities in examination processes. The agitation later intensified and culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25.

(With inputs from PTI)