Sahil Lochab, a student and protester, faces a 1% chance of regaining vision after being hit by pellets during a Delhi march. Doctors at AIIMS are treating the severe injury.
- 19-year-old Sahil Lochab injured during CJP Parliament march.
- Medical experts warn of only a 1% chance of vision recovery.
- Injury caused by metal pellets, according to hospital sources.
- Incident occurred during police crackdown on July 20 protesters.
New Delhi: A 19-year-old student, Sahil Lochab, may lose vision in his right eye following a violent encounter during the 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP) march to Parliament on July 20. The incident has sparked outrage regarding the use of pellet guns against civilians in the national capital.
Lochab, a resident of Najafgarh and a student at Delhi University’s School of Open Learning, underwent emergency surgery at the AIIMS Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre on Tuesday to remove metal pellets lodged in his eye. His family has been informed by medical professionals that the damage to his pupil is so severe that there is only a "1% chance" of his vision returning.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident marks a significant escalation in the use of force by security agencies in Delhi. While authorities have previously denied the use of pellet guns, hospital sources and eyewitness accounts confirm that metal pellets—not plastic—were used, posing a lethal threat to protesters.
The use of pump-action pellet guns on civilian protesters represents a critical breach of standard crowd-control protocols.
The victim's mother, Jyoti, expressed profound grief, noting that Sahil was a dedicated student preparing for the SSC CGL examination with dreams of joining the police force. His childhood friend, Parvesh, highlighted that Sahil has always been a vocal advocate for educational reforms, making this injury even more tragic.
The deployment of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialized anti-riot unit of the CRPF, has come under scrutiny. Although the RAF was operating under the operational control of the Delhi Police at the time, no official statement has been released by the CRPF regarding the specific use of pellet guns during the July 20 crackdown.
| Feature | Reported Status |
|---|---|
| Pellet Material | Metal (Confirmed by hospital sources) |
| Vision Recovery Chance | Approximately 1% |
| Unit Deployed | RAF (Rapid Action Force) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What caused Sahil Lochab's injury?
He was hit by metal pellets during a police crackdown on protesters marching to Parliament.
2. Where is Sahil currently receiving treatment?
He is being treated at the AIIMS Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre.
