Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi Lead Congress Push for Pellet-Gun FIR
Sahil Lochab, a 19-year-old, was hurt by pellets during a protest march.
His family and Rahul Gandhi went to a Delhi police station to ask for an FIR.
An FIR is an official police report about a possible crime.
Police first said they could not register it because the Supreme Court was already examining the protest-related events.
Rahul Gandhi stayed outside and led a sit-in to press the demand.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra worked with lawyers and police officials and showed them medical documents.
After nearly seven hours, police registered the case.
The Congress celebrated, while the Bharatiya Janata Party criticized the protest.
Rahul Gandhi and Sahil Lochab’s family sought an FIR over pellet-gun injuries allegedly suffered during a July 20 Parliament march.
Police initially said the matter was under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction because a committee was examining the protests and police action.
Rahul Gandhi began a sit-in at the Parliament Street Police Station when officers did not immediately register the case.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra pursued a parallel diplomatic effort, discussing legal strategy and presenting medical documents to senior police officials.
The FIR was registered around 7 p.m.; the Congress claimed success, while the Bharatiya Janata Party accused it of promoting anarchy and disrespecting the law.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sahil Lochab, Lochab’s mother and lawyer, Congress leaders, and Delhi police officials.
- What
- The Congress demanded and obtained registration of an FIR concerning pellet-gun injuries suffered by Lochab during a protest march.
- When
- The sit-in took place on a Friday and lasted nearly seven hours; the injuries occurred during a July 20 march.
- Where
- The events took place at Connaught Place Police Station and Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi.
- Why
- The Congress sought an official investigation into Lochab’s injuries and said the demand concerned students’ rights.
Congress’s Position
Government and Police Criticism
Whether an FIR should be registered
Congress’s Position
The Congress argued that Lochab’s medical report and other documents provided sufficient grounds for an FIR and demanded that police register the case.
Government and Police Criticism
Police initially said the issue fell under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction because a committee was examining police action and violence during the protests.
The sit-in’s purpose and conduct
Congress’s Position
Congress leaders presented the demonstration as a fight for students’ rights and maintained the sit-in until the case was registered.
Government and Police Criticism
The Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Congress of attempting to spread anarchy and disrespecting the country’s laws.
- Injured person
- Sahil Lochab, 19
- Reported injury
- Pellet-gun injuries
- Protest date
- July 20
- Initial police position
- Police said the matter was under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction and that an FIR could not yet be registered.
- Duration of sit-in
- Nearly seven hours
- FIR registration
- The case was registered around 7 p.m. on Friday
- Congress response
- The party described the registration as a victory for its campaign on students’ rights