FIR filed in pellet gun case after Rahul Gandhi's sit-in
What's the story
The Delhi Police have registered an FIR in the case of Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old student protester allegedly injured by a pellet gun during a protest on July 20. The decision comes after Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in outside a police station with Lochab, demanding action. "I will sit on dharna...even for 30 days or six months if you don't register an FIR," Gandhi warned. No individual has been named as an accused as of now.
Protest details
Gandhi's dharna prompts police action
Gandhi has repeatedly alleged that the police used excessive force against peaceful protesters during the July 20 Gen Z protest.
He repeated the charge again on Friday.
Speaking to the media, Gandhi said the AIIMS report clearly showed that there were more than 200 shells inside his body and three in his eye.
Gandhi
'There are shells near his heart'
"He has lost vision in that eye. There are shells near his heart that cannot be touched. Delhi Police say they did not fire pellet guns. So, there is just one question: someone must have done it."
He said that since a crime has happened, they were demanding that an FIR be registered but cops told them that they have received an "order from the top and they cannot file an FIR."
Investigation committee
Police deny using pellet guns
The Delhi Police had earlier said that the Supreme Court had formed a High-Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) to investigate allegations of excessive and disproportionate use of force by police and paramilitary forces during student protests.
However, they denied using pellet guns on protesters.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court formed a five-member High-Powered Inquiry Committee (HPIC) to probe allegations of excessive use of force by police and paramilitary forces, as well as alleged violence by protesters.
Medical and legal proceedings
Lochab's complaint was not registered earlier
Gandhi and Lochab had first approached the Mandir Marg police station to file an FIR, but their request was denied.
They later met Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sachin Sharma at the Parliament Street police station. When discussions failed to resolve the matter, Gandhi staged a dharna at the police station with Lochab.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior leaders also joined in.