The family of 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who was blinded by pellets during the CJP protests, has sought justice alongside Rahul Gandhi. The Congress leader is staging a sit-in demanding an FIR against the police.

  • 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab suffered severe pellet injuries to his eyes during the CJP protest.
  • Rahul Gandhi launched a dharna at Parliament Street police station demanding an FIR.
  • The victim's mother alleges police are shifting responsibility between stations.
  • Medical reports confirm multiple puncture wounds from pellets on the victim's face.

The aftermath of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest has escalated into a major political standoff in New Delhi. Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old student at Delhi University’s School of Open Learning, is fighting for his sight after being struck by pellets during a demonstration last month. His mother, Jyoti, has spent days navigating a bureaucratic maze of police stations, seeking a formal FIR.

Standing outside the Parliament Street police station on Friday, Jyoti confronted the media with a harrowing question: "They say that no gun was fired. If not, then how did it hit my son?" The discrepancy between the police's claims of no firing and the visible, devastating injuries on Sahil's face has become the focal point of the growing outrage.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident is more than just a local protest; it is a flashpoint for debates on police conduct and the use of non-lethal weaponry. The refusal to register an FIR in the face of documented medical evidence suggests a potential crisis in institutional accountability within the capital's law enforcement agencies.

"The refusal to acknowledge pellet injuries despite medical documentation undermines the core principle of police accountability in a democracy."

Sahil’s journey to the protest was fueled by frustration over the 2024 Delhi Police recruitment examination, which was cancelled following a massive paper leak. On July 20, while at Connaught Place, the protest turned chaotic. Sahil recalls folding his hands in surrender as security forces approached, only to be struck by projectiles that changed his life forever.

In a significant show of solidarity, Rahul Gandhi joined the family, initiating a dharna outside the Parliament Street police station. Gandhi accused the Delhi Police and the central government of denying justice to the youth. He presented the medico-legal report from Lady Hardinge Hospital, which explicitly details "multiple puncture wounds" on the right side of Sahil's face caused by pellets.

The protest saw a massive influx of Congress supporters, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. While police officials attempted to negotiate with the leaders, the protesters remained steadfast, demanding that the officers responsible for ordering the pellet firing be held accountable.

Did You Know?: Pellet guns are often categorized as 'non-lethal' weapons, but they can cause permanent blindness and fatal injuries if used at close range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Why was Sahil Lochab protesting?
Answer: He was protesting against the cancellation of the Delhi Police recruitment exams due to a paper leak.

Question 2: What is the primary demand of the Congress protest?
Answer: The primary demand is the immediate registration of an FIR against the police officers involved in the pellet firing during the CJP protest.