Rahul Gandhi Stages Sit-In Outside Delhi Police Office Over Alleged Pellet Gun FIR Delay

Yugcharan News / 21 August 2026

New Delhi: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in outside the office of a Delhi Police Deputy Commissioner near Parliament Street police station on Friday, protesting what he alleged was a failure by the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) over the use of pellet guns during a student demonstration in the national capital.

Rahul Gandhi arrived at the police station accompanied by Sahil Lochab, a student who was reportedly injured during the protest at Jantar Mantar. The Congress leader sought an explanation from the police over why an FIR had allegedly not been registered despite complaints concerning the incident.

The demonstration has brought renewed attention to allegations surrounding the use of pellet-firing weapons during a student protest on July 20. According to the report, the incident occurred during a parliamentary march organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), with protesters alleging that police personnel used pellet guns against students.

Rahul Gandhi Seeks Action Over Complaint

According to the allegations cited in the report, Sahil Lochab had attempted to file a complaint regarding his injuries and the alleged use of pellet ammunition. However, he claimed that the police did not permit him to register the FIR.

Rahul Gandhi subsequently questioned why an FIR had not been filed against those accused in the incident. After visiting the police station, he went to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police near Parliament Street and began a sit-in protest.

A Congress leader quoted in the report said Rahul Gandhi had initially sought to submit the complaint at Mandir Marg police station. When the complaint was allegedly not accepted there, he decided to approach the senior police officer.

Rahul Gandhi reportedly said that he would continue his protest unless an FIR was registered in connection with the alleged pellet-gun incident.

The Congress has further alleged that complaints concerning the incident were submitted by Sahil on August 14 and again on August 17, but that no action had been taken by the police. The party said Rahul Gandhi therefore decided to accompany Sahil to the police station personally.

Student Protest Incident Under Scrutiny

The dispute relates to a student demonstration at Jantar Mantar on July 20. The protesters had reportedly taken part in a parliamentary march, during which a confrontation developed between demonstrators and police personnel.

The principal allegation is that pellet ammunition was fired during the confrontation, resulting in injuries to several people.

Initial reports indicated that at least five people had suffered pellet-related injuries. Those initially identified included 25-year-old Sheikh Irshad Mansuri, 32-year-old Nutan Toppo, 25-year-old Prashant Singh and 19-year-old Sahil Lochab. An English-language newspaper reporter was also reportedly among those injured.

Subsequent information suggested that the number of people injured could be at least 10, although the identities of all those who may have sustained injuries have not been established publicly.

The circumstances surrounding the injuries, including who fired the pellets and under what circumstances, remain central to the dispute. The allegations made by protesters and the Congress require investigation and cannot by themselves establish individual responsibility.

Demand for a Formal Investigation

The demand for an FIR is significant because registration of a criminal complaint would provide a formal mechanism for investigating the allegations, collecting evidence and determining whether any police personnel violated established procedures.

Rahul Gandhi's intervention has also turned the matter into a political issue. As Leader of Opposition, his presence at the police station and subsequent sit-in has increased attention on the allegations made by the injured protesters.

The Congress has argued that the police should investigate the matter rather than decline to register the complaint. The party has questioned why complaints submitted by the alleged victims had not resulted in visible police action.

The Delhi Police's response to the allegations will therefore be closely watched, particularly regarding whether a formal case is registered and whether an inquiry is initiated into the circumstances of the July 20 incident.

Concerns Over Pellet Guns

Pellet guns have been the subject of considerable controversy in India because of the injuries they can cause. Pellet ammunition consists of multiple small projectiles that can produce numerous wounds when fired.

Although pellets are generally described as less lethal than conventional firearms, injuries can be severe, particularly when the projectiles strike sensitive areas such as the eyes. Serious eye injuries can result in permanent impairment of vision.

The use of pellet guns became particularly controversial in Jammu and Kashmir during periods of unrest. Security forces used such weapons extensively during protests, especially during periods of heightened violence. Their use subsequently attracted criticism from human rights organisations and other groups because of the number and nature of injuries reported among civilians.

The latest allegations in Delhi have therefore generated concern because they involve the reported use of similar ammunition during a student demonstration in the capital.

What Happens Next

The immediate issue is whether the Delhi Police will register an FIR based on the complaint submitted by the injured student and whether an investigation will establish the circumstances in which the alleged pellet firing occurred.

If a case is registered, investigators would be expected to examine available video footage, statements from protesters and police personnel, medical records and other evidence that could help establish what happened during the confrontation.

The number of injured persons will also be an important aspect of any investigation. While early information reportedly suggested five people had sustained injuries, later accounts put the number at 10 or more. Authorities would need to establish the precise number through medical and documentary evidence.

The incident has also raised broader questions about the policing of demonstrations in central Delhi. Large protests around Parliament and Jantar Mantar frequently involve security restrictions, crowd-control measures and the deployment of additional police personnel. Any allegation involving the use of potentially injurious crowd-control equipment is therefore likely to attract significant public and political scrutiny.

For now, the central dispute remains the alleged refusal or delay in registering an FIR. Rahul Gandhi's sit-in has placed additional pressure on the Delhi Police to clarify its position and explain what action, if any, has been taken on the complaints submitted by the alleged victims.

As the political confrontation continues, the outcome of any police inquiry or formal investigation will be important in determining whether the allegations regarding pellet firing are substantiated and whether responsibility can be established. Until such an investigation is completed, claims regarding individual wrongdoing remain allegations.