FIR for pellet injury during July 20 stir filed after Rahul Gandhi protests for over 6 hours

A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against unknown individuals following a prolonged protest by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi outside a Delhi police station. Gandhi accompanied a Delhi University student, Sahil Lochab, who had sustained pellet injuries during a protest on July 20, and sat in protest for over six hours until the FIR was registered.

Lochab, a student at Delhi University's School of Open Learning, reported that he had visited multiple police stations and the crime branch over eight days to register his complaint but was repeatedly denied. He stated that Gandhi's intervention led to his case being heard. "Sahil’s FIR has been registered. This is the first step towards justice," Gandhi said outside the station after the FIR was filed around 7 p.m. He questioned the delay, suggesting, "even permission to file an FIR had to come from the home ministry. Now it’s clear who has been holding the reins on justice."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized Gandhi's actions as "attention-seeking politics." The protest outside the Parliament Street Police Station led to a significant political controversy.

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Sahil’s FIR has been registered. This is the first step towards justice. But think about it - even permission to file an FIR had to come from the home ministry. Now it’s clear who has been holding the reins on justice.

Lochab recounted the events of July 20, stating he joined a protest against paper leaks for exams like NEET and the Delhi Police recruitment. He described a lathicharge and stampede-like situation, during which he was running with a national flag when he felt an explosion on his face, eye, and chest. He saw a police personnel with a rifle and sustained multiple pellet injuries, describing blood covering his eye, face, chest, and hand.

Paramilitary forces were deployed, and the station's gate was closed to restrict protesters' entry. Meetings occurred between police officials, Lochab, and Gandhi. The FIR was finally lodged after Gandhi's extensive demonstration.

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I was then helped by Gandhi …I hoped that if he comes, my case will be heard. I’m the eldest son and these injuries have affected my future career goals and my studies.