Delhi Police registered a first information report (FIR) against unknown individuals after a 19-year-old Delhi University student, Sahil Lochab, alleged he was shot with pellets during the July 20 Jantar Mantar protests. The FIR was filed on Friday, August 21, 2026, following a prolonged protest led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who accompanied Lochab to the Parliament Street Police Station. The complaint, which detailed severe injuries, was finally accepted after nearly six hours of demonstrations. The FIR was lodged under Sections 118 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which address voluntary infliction of harm using dangerous weapons and actions endangering life or personal safety. Lochab, a student at Delhi University’s School of Open Learning, claimed he was hit by multiple pellets during the protest, which was organized against allegations of corruption in the NEET paper leak and Delhi Police recruitment exams. According to his statement in the FIR, he was part of a group that fled from a lathicharge and stampede-like situation toward the Palika Bazar area. While carrying the national flag, he encountered a police personnel in a blue uniform wielding a large rifle. He described feeling an explosion on his face, eye, and chest, followed by being shot 5-6 times with pellets. Blood covered his face, chest, and hands, and he was subsequently transported to Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), then to Safdarjung Hospital, and eventually to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Medical reports obtained by Lochab indicate that he suffered over 200 pellet injuries, with some embedded in critical areas such as his right eye, neck, chest, jaw, and hand. A CT scan revealed that pellets were lodged near his heart, making removal impossible. He underwent his first eye surgery on July 22, and a second operation on August 1. Despite efforts to recover, his vision in the affected eye remains severely impaired, and he faces long-term medical treatment. Lochab expressed frustration over the loss of his career prospects, noting that he had previously aimed to join the police force but now believes this path is unattainable. Lochab had attempted to register an FIR with multiple police stations, including Connaught Place, Sansad Marg, Mandir Marg, and the Crime Branch, over the preceding eight days. However, each attempt was rejected. He recounted that the police initially denied receiving his complaint and even claimed they had received instructions not to proceed. It was only after Rahul Gandhi intervened that the FIR was finally filed. Gandhi, who arrived at the police station with Lochab, his mother, and their lawyer around 11:30 am, remained for over five hours, leading to the eventual registration of the FIR. His presence, alongside Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others, pressured authorities to act. During the protest, paramilitary forces were deployed, and access to the police station was restricted. The police initially denied claims of pellet usage, but internal records from the Sansad Marg police station contradicted this, showing that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) had indeed fired pellet rounds. A subsequent CRPF inquiry reportedly confirmed that five of the seven rounds struck protesters. These findings challenge the Delhi Police’s earlier denials and raise concerns about the use of force during the protest. The incident has sparked broader discussions about police conduct and accountability. In response to the FIR registration, Rahul Gandhi emphasized that it marked a crucial step toward justice. He criticized the bureaucratic delays, stating that even registering an FIR required approval from the Union Home Ministry. He questioned the implications for law enforcement in smaller towns and villages, suggesting that systemic barriers exist in ensuring justice for citizens. Senior Congress leader Salman Khursid noted that the FIR provides documentation of the use of pellet guns, contradicting prior police statements. The case has also drawn criticism from the ruling BJP, which accused Gandhi of engaging in “attention-seeking politics.” As the FIR moves forward, the focus will shift to the investigation process and potential legal proceedings. Lochab has requested the preservation of CCTV and drone footage from the area, as well as a forensic analysis of the pellets retrieved from his body. The case underscores ongoing tensions surrounding the use of force by security agencies during public demonstrations and highlights the challenges faced by activists in securing justice. With the Supreme Court having established a high-powered inquiry committee to investigate the police action, further developments are anticipated. For now, the FIR stands as a formal acknowledgment of the events that left Sahil Lochab with permanent physical and emotional scars.
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