Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, staged a dharna on Friday at the Parliament Street police station. He seeks registration of FIR over alleged brutality in July during a student-led protest at Jantar Mantar over NEET irregularities.
The leader of the opposition accompanied Sahil Lochab, who suffered a pellet injury during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led march, demanding the resignation of then-Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Lochab suffered pellet injuries to his eyes and abdomen, due to which he had to go for surgery at the AIIMS Trauma Centre. Following this, Rahul Gandhi accused Delhi police, saying that he was not being allowed to file an FIR.
“On July 20, the police attacked Sahil, who was peacefully protesting at Jantar Mantar, with a pellet gun. Severely injured by the pellets, Sahil’s vision in one eye is now at risk. Such brutality against a peaceful protest is not just illegal—it’s a serious crime,” Rahul posted on his social media account X.
“Neither has Home Minister Amit Shah offered any explanation to the students for this cruelty, nor has the prime minister apologized to them. 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 posted.
“… AmitShah ji, 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 tweeted, ensuring his support in providing justice for Lochab and other victims like him.
Prior to this, Gandhi visited Mandir Marg Police Station, seeking registration of a case over alleged police crackdown on the protestors. However, his demand was not accepted. Ahead of this he went to the Parliament Street police station and met Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sachin Sharma, the New Indian Express reported.
With talks with Sharma failing to break the deadlock, the Congress leader, accompanied by Lochab, sat on a dharna at the police station, which also houses the DCP’s office. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior party leaders subsequently joined the demonstration.
As highlighted by the New Indian Express, a police source said, “The New Delhi DCP is in touch with Gandhi. As the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police is probing all the complaints, the complaint of Lochab will also be forwarded to the Crime Branch for further investigation.”
