ISLAMABAD: A police complaint over the alleged use of pellet guns against a student during a July protest in New Delhi has moved into a formal investigation after opposition leader Rahul Gandhi spent more than five hours demanding action outside a police station.
Delhi Police registered a first information report (FIR) after Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi protest’s at the Parliament Street Police Station ended Friday, Asian News International reported. The case was filed on the complaint of 19-year-old Sahil Lochab.
Lochab says he was injured during a July 20 demonstration at Jantar Mantar in the country’s capital, The Hindu reported. Students were protesting alleged irregularities in NEET, India’s medical entrance examination.
According to The Hindu, Rahul Gandhi went to the police station with Lochab and demanded that the complaint be formally registered. Other Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, later joined.
The dispute had continued for weeks before the case was registered. The opposition leader stated that Lochab had repeatedly sought an FIR but police had not acted, as per The Times of India. He also said the family was told that police were acting on “orders from above.”
“A crime has happened. All we are demanding is that an FIR be registered so justice can begin,” Gandhi told reporters.
Student says injuries persist
Meanwhile, the 19-year-old said the alleged pellet injuries required treatment at two local hospitals. He said he underwent surgery but his eyesight has not returned fully, as reported by several Indian news outlets.
Rahul Gandhi said a hospital medical report showed more than 200 pellets still lodged in Lochab’s body. He said one was in an eye and others were close to vital organs, making their removal unsafe.
Lochab said he had submitted a detailed complaint after the July 20 incident but that no FIR had been registered.
The newly filed case covers provisions concerning causing hurt with dangerous means and conduct that endangers human life, according to Asian News International.
Conflicting accounts of police action
The registration of the case comes amid disagreement over whether pellet guns were used against protesters during the July demonstration.
Congress has accused Delhi Police of excessive force, while police have denied firing pellet guns at protesters.
Indian media reports have cited an entry in the police station’s daily diary that referred to anti-riot guns and plastic pellets being used by Rapid Action Force personnel during crowd-control operations at the protest site, The Hindu reported.
Indian Supreme Court reviewing allegations
The allegations are also being examined by India’s Supreme Court.
The court has appointed a "five-member high-powered committee led by retired Justice Subhash Reddy" to investigate "claims of police excesses" and violence during the July protests, The Times of India reported.
BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of 'political drama'
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposed Rahul Gandhi’s protest and pointed to the Supreme Court inquiry.
According to an official press release published on BJP's website, Union Cabinet Minister J P Nadda accused Gandhi of “camera-centric politics.” He questioned the purpose of his demonstration "while the court-appointed inquiry was underway."
NDTV reported that BJP member and Union Minister Smriti Irani also described the protest as political posturing rather than genuine advocacy for students.