Cops file FIR on pellet gun victim's complaint after Rahul Gandhi's dharna

Delhi Police has registered an FIR on Sahil Lochab's complaint over pellet injuries suffered during the July 20 CJP-led protest in Delhi. The move came after Rahul Gandhi staged a dharna at Parliament Street police station, pressing for a case and FIR number.Rahul Gandhi at the Parliament Street Police StationThe Delhi Police on Friday registered a first information report (FIR) in the case of 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who allegedly suffered pellet injuries during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest, hours after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in outside the Parliament Street Police Station.Delhi Police has registered an FIR against unidentified persons over pellet injuries suffered by 19-year-old Sahil Lochab during the CJP-led July 20 protest in Delhi.The FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by Lochab. No individual has been named as an accused at this stage.The development came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi staged a dharna at the Parliament Street police station on Friday, demanding that Delhi Police register an FIR over the alleged use of a pellet gun during the protest. Gandhi, accompanied by Lochab, had first visited the Mandir Marg police station and sought registration of an FIR. After his demand was not accepted, he went to the Parliament Street police station and met Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sachin Sharma.When the discussion failed to yield a resolution, Gandhi, along with Lochab, sat on a dharna at the police station, which also houses the DCP office. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh and other senior leaders also joined the protest. Earlier, Ramesh said the Congress would continue its protest until Delhi Police registered an FIR and provided the FIR number.“Our demand is simple -- register an FIR and give us the FIR number,” Ramesh said.He alleged that Lochab, who was protesting against the Staff Selection Commission paper leak and had no political affiliation, was injured after police allegedly used a pellet gun during the July 20 protest.Lochab suffered pellet injuries to his eyes and abdomen and later underwent surgery at the AIIMS Trauma Centre, according to the Congress.Sources said Lochab had approached police with his lawyers on August 14 and submitted a written complaint, but no FIR was registered at the time. The matter was pursued again on August 17 through email and phone, but there was no acknowledgement from police, the sources said.The Congress had accused the BJP of trying to communalise the situation, evade accountability and divert attention from the issue.Gandhi had said that the alleged use of pellet guns against a peaceful protest was a serious crime and questioned why an FIR had not been registered over Lochab's injuries.- EndsPublished By: Akash ChatterjeePublished On: Aug 21, 2026 18:07 IST