New Delhi, Aug 21: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday staged a sit-in outside a Delhi police station, demanding registration of an FIR over the alleged use of pellet guns during a student protest last month in which a youth suffered injuries.
Gandhi arrived with injured student Sahil Lochab and his mother and first approached Mandir Marg Police Station, seeking registration of a case into the incident. The group later reached Parliament Street Police Station, where Gandhi held discussions with senior police officials.
When the matter remained unresolved, Gandhi began a dharna outside the police station and said he would not leave until the FIR was registered. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party leaders also joined the protest.The controversy relates to a student demonstration held in Delhi on July 20 over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and the NEET paper-leak issue.
Lochab was allegedly injured by pellets during the protest and subsequently received treatment at the AIIMS Trauma Centre.Gandhi alleged that police officials had cited instructions from higher authorities as a reason for not registering the case.
He demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged firing and the student’s injuries.Following several hours of the protest, Delhi Police agreed to register an FIR, according to the report.The development triggered a political response from the BJP.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda criticised Gandhi’s protest, accusing him of engaging in political theatrics and attempting to attract media attention.Nadda said the Congress leader’s action was not aimed at securing justice for students but was politically motivated.
He also alleged that Gandhi was trying to shift public attention away from other controversies involving the Congress.The registration of an FIR marks the beginning of a formal police investigation and does not by itself establish the allegations or determine criminal liability.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged pellet firing and the student’s injuries will have to be established through the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.
