Rahul Gandhi holds dharna after Delhi Police refuses FIR on pellet gun case

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in outside the New Delhi DCP office on Friday, after Delhi Police allegedly refused to register an FIR over the use of pellet guns during a July 20 student protest. Gandhi accompanied 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who claims he suffered pellet gun injuries to his eye during the march, to the Parliament Street Police Station to demand action.

According to the Congress, Lochab first filed a written complaint on August 14 but police did not provide an investigation officer number or acknowledgement. India Today reports that Delhi Police has repeatedly denied using pellet guns, while the CRPF has remained silent. However, medical reports and an India Today investigation have raised questions about that denial. Times Now reports that after Gandhi's dharna, the complaint was filed and will be forwarded to the Crime Branch for investigation. Delhi DCP Sachin Sharma held talks with Gandhi, and police said action will be taken as per law.

The protest stems from a July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march by students demanding the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam paper leaks. Pradhan resigned days later. The Congress has alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered the use of pellet guns, a charge the government has not officially addressed. Gandhi has demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.