Courtesy: X/RahulGandhi
High drama unfolded outside Delhi’s Parliament Street Police Station on Friday as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in with pellet-gun injury claimant Sahil Lochab. Gandhi alleged that police officials told him they had “orders from the top” not to register a formal FIR in the case.
The 19-year-old Najafgarh resident claims he was hit by pellets during the 20 July Cockroach Janata Party “Sansad Chalo” march near Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place. He underwent surgery at the AIIMS Trauma Centre. Gandhi told reporters that medical records showed three pellets in one eye and more than 200 shells across the body, with some near the heart that cannot be removed. He displayed recovered metallic pellets to the media.
Gandhi first arrived at Connaught Place / Mandir Marg police station with Lochab. Told that New Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma was at Parliament Street, the pair proceeded there. After discussions failed to produce an investigating officer number or FIR, Gandhi sat outside and said he would remain until the complaint was formally registered.
What exactly did Rahul Gandhi claim about ‘orders from the top’?
Speaking to the media, Gandhi said Delhi Police maintained they had not fired pellet guns yet could not explain the injuries. He further alleged that officials stated they had received instructions from higher authorities against lodging an FIR on the victim’s complaint. Lochab’s lawyer separately claimed that on 14 August the complaint was returned after being read, with an officer later saying over the phone that the matter would not be taken up because of “orders from above”.
Congress workers and leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh and Kumari Selja, later forced their way into the area to join the protest, leading to chaos and police barricades.
How has Delhi Police responded?
Delhi Police said the victim’s complaint had been accepted. Officials stated that the Crime Branch is already investigating all cases registered in connection with the 20 July events and that an investigating officer has been assigned. The complainant was informed that his complaint would also be sent to the Crime Branch. Some police sources added that related matters are under consideration before the courts and are being monitored by the Supreme Court-appointed committee examining the wider protest violence.
Congress leaders countered that the name of the investigating officer was still not being shared and that a cognisable offence requires immediate FIR registration under law.
Why does this case continue to escalate?
The July 20 protest saw students march towards Parliament over exam paper leaks and education system concerns. Then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned days later. Delhi Police has consistently denied using pellet guns. The CRPF, whose RAF personnel were deployed, has offered little public clarity. Medical reports, victim accounts, an India Today investigation and an RTI filed by TMC leader Saket Gokhale indicating at least ten pellet injuries have kept the dispute alive.
Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament and in letters to the Home Minister, demanding to know who authorised the alleged use of lethal force. The Friday sit-in marks the most direct confrontation yet at the police station level.
As of early afternoon the protest continued, with Gandhi and senior Congress leaders remaining outside the DCP office. The stand-off now centres on whether acceptance of the complaint and referral to the Crime Branch will satisfy the demand for a registered FIR and named investigating officer, or whether political and legal pressure will intensify further.
