Delhi Police has registered an FIR over allegations that pellet guns were used during the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar, following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s sit-in outside the Parliament Street Police Station.
The case has been registered under Sections 118 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Section 118 relates to voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt using dangerous weapons or other dangerous means, while Section 125 deals with acts that endanger the life or personal safety of others.
The FIR follows allegations by 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who said he sustained pellet injuries during the protest. Gandhi had repeatedly raised Lochab’s case and demanded that Delhi Police register a formal complaint.
Rahul Gandhi Stages Dharna
Gandhi arrived at the Parliament Street Police Station on Friday with Lochab and pressed authorities to act on the teenager’s complaint. He subsequently sat on a dharna outside the police station, saying he would remain there until an FIR was registered.
Following the registration of the case, Gandhi called it the “first step of justice”. He alleged that Lochab had suffered around 100 pellet injuries and lost vision in one eye.
Gandhi also questioned the delay in registering the case and claimed that the FIR received final approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Union Home Minister.
Lochab Thanks Gandhi
Lochab thanked Gandhi for supporting his demand for police action and said the Congress leader had regularly enquired about his health.
According to Lochab, he informed Gandhi on Thursday that the FIR had still not been registered. He said Gandhi assured him that the case would be filed the next day.
Lochab claimed that police subsequently took around eight hours to complete the registration process.
Pellet Gun Allegations Disputed
The case stems from allegations surrounding the July 20 Jantar Mantar protest, where protesters had claimed that security personnel used pellet guns.
Delhi Police had previously rejected allegations that its personnel used pellet guns against students during the demonstration.
The issue is also being examined by a Supreme Court-appointed high-powered committee investigating allegations of excessive and disproportionate use of force during the protests.
The registration of the FIR now allows the allegations surrounding Lochab’s injuries and the reported use of pellet guns to be formally investigated.
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