New Delhi:
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi staged a dharna outside the DCP office at Parliament Street Police Station on Friday, demanding that an FIR be registered over allegations that Delhi Police used pellet guns against protesters during the CJP-led “Chalo Sansad” march on July 20.
What Rahul Gandhi Is Demanding
Gandhi was joined at the sit-in by 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who has alleged he was injured by a pellet gun during the July 20 march toward Parliament. In a post on X, the Congress said, “No FIR. No Justice. So We Sit… The DCP still won’t name an investigating officer or register the FIR. This is not delay. This is denial of justice. We will not leave until an FIR is filed.” The party further alleged that Sahil and his mother had been demanding an FIR since the incident but had been ignored by police, and that no Medico-Legal Case (MLC) report had been provided to him.
Background: The July 20 Allegations
The controversy dates back to July 20, when the CJP-led march toward Parliament, demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak issue, ended in a standoff with police. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das alleged at the time that pellet guns had been used against peaceful protesters, sharing videos of injured individuals. In a press conference on July 24 alongside Sahil, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Delhi Police had used pellet guns during the march and displayed his own injuries, saying the government must stop denying that students were lathi-charged and hit by pellets. He also wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding accountability, and separately, the Congress alleged the pellet gun action had been carried out on the orders of the Home Minister — a claim that has not been independently verified.
Delhi Police’s Response
Delhi Police has consistently denied the pellet gun allegations, releasing a formal statement refuting the claims shortly after they first surfaced in July.
Note: This report is based on statements from the Congress party, CJP representatives, and Delhi Police. The central allegation — that pellet guns were used and on whose orders — remains disputed and has not been independently confirmed.
