Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday (August 21, 2026) sat on a dharna at the Parliament Street police station in Delhi seeking the registration of an FIR over pellet injuries suffered by a youth during the CJP-led July 20 protest and said “brutality” against a peaceful protest is a “serious crime”.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said neither Union Home Minister Amit Shah has offered an explanation on the use of pellet guns at the protest, nor has Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologised.
Also read: 19-year-old may lose vision in right eye due to pellet injury, says family
Mr. Gandhi, accompanied by the pellet victim, 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, first visited the Mandir Marg police station and sought the registration of the FIR. After his demand was not accepted, he went to the Parliament Street police station and met Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sachin Sharma. After the discussion with Sharma failed to yield results, the Congress leader, along with Lochab, sat on a dharna at the police station, which also houses the DCP office.
Days after the Delhi Police denied the usage of pellet guns during the July 20 march to Parliament — in which at least four persons reported being hit with pellets — a general diary entry filed at Parliament Street police station reveals that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) did fire two rounds from an anti-riot gun on the directions of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) rank officer.
Document reveals RAF used pellet guns on protesters in Delhi, contradicting police claims and raising concerns over excessive force.
Rapid Action Force has been deployed in and around the Parliament Street police station, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is sitting on a dharna demanding registration of an FIR over pellet injuries suffered by a youth during the CJP-led July 20 protest, police sources said on Friday (August 21, 2026).
A large number of police and RAF personnel have been deployed around the police station, which also houses the New Delhi DCP’s office.
Additional police personnel have been pressed into service in view of Rahul Gandhi’s sit-in, the sources said.
At least one of the 80 protesters injured in police action during the Monday (July 20, 2026) march to Parliament called by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) sustained pellet gun injuries, according to a source at Lady Hardinge Medical College, where the victim is undergoing treatment.
Police deny using pellet guns and shock batons during Delhi protests, despite reports of injuries among demonstrators.
“Sahil wants to file FIR, but that is not being allowed. If not Delhi Police, then who? We are only asking for justice for the family,” Mr. Gandhi said, speaking to media outside the police station.
According to the Congress party, Mr. Lochab had approached the Delhi Police along with his lawyers on August 14 and submitted a written complaint. However, the police allegedly did not provide an I/O number or acknowledgement. The complaint was again pursued on August 17 through email and phone, but no I/O number or acknowledgement was provided, they said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday (August 21, 2026) sat on a dharna at the Parliament Street police station here seeking the registration of an FIR over pellet injuries suffered by a youth during the CJP-led July 20 protest and said “brutality” against a peaceful protest is a “serious crime”.
Mr. Gandhi, accompanied by the pellet victim, 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, first visited the Mandir Marg police station and sought the registration of the FIR. After his demand was not accepted, he went to the Parliament Street police station and met Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sachin Sharma.
Published - August 21, 2026 02:27 pm IST
Live news / Rahul Gandhi / Delhi / India / Cockroach Janta Party
Source: The Hindu - India News
