Delhi Police Files Case Over Pellet Firing After Rahul Gandhi’s Protest

Melbourne, 22 August-  Delhi Police has finally registered a case over allegations that pellets were fired during a march towards India’s Parliament in the national capital, following pressure from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The incident took place on July 20 during a Parliament-bound march led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). Nineteen-year-old Sahil Lochab was allegedly injured after pellets were fired during the protest.

After police initially refused to register a case, Rahul Gandhi on Friday staged a sit-in outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Delhi, accompanied by the injured Sahil Lochab. The police registered the case following the protest.

According to Delhi Police, the case has been filed under Sections 118(1) and 125 of the Indian Penal Code. Section 118(1) deals with voluntarily causing hurt using dangerous weapons or means, while Section 125 relates to rash or negligent acts that endanger human life.

Lochab submitted a written complaint to Delhi Police on August 14, alleging that he was injured when pellets were fired during the July 20 march. However, he claimed that police did not provide him with the name or contact details of the investigating officer even after he filed the complaint.

On Friday, Rahul Gandhi first accompanied Lochab to Mandir Marg Police Station. They later went to the DCP’s office in central Delhi at Parliament Street, where the Congress leader began his sit-in protest.

Rahul Gandhi alleged that Lochab had contacted the police again by email and phone on August 17 regarding his complaint. Despite this, he was not given any information about the investigating officer. He was also not given confirmation that his complaint had been formally received, Rahul Gandhi claimed.

Rahul Gandhi said the incident was serious and warranted a proper investigation. He argued that an FIR should have been registered promptly, but Delhi Police had failed to do so despite receiving the complaint. He said he accompanied the injured young man to the police office to support him in seeking justice.

According to the complaint, security personnel allegedly fired pellets during the July 20 Parliament-bound march led by the CJP, injuring Lochab. He subsequently filed a written complaint with the police and sought an investigation into the incident and action against those responsible.

Rahul Gandhi’s sit-in continued for more than six hours. He ended the protest after the police registered the case, describing the filing of the case as the “first step” towards justice.

The registration of the case has now paved the way for a formal investigation. Police are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged pellet firing, identify who used the pellets and determine how Lochab sustained his injuries.

The incident has also triggered political debate in India. With the case now registered based on the injured man’s complaint, attention will turn to the police investigation and whether it identifies those responsible for the alleged firing.