Rahul Gandhi demands a case and investigation into the alleged use of pellet guns during a student protest
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the Parliament Street police station in Delhi on Friday seeking an FIR and investigation into allegations that pellet guns were used against students during a July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.
New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi visited the Parliament Street police station in Delhi on Friday and demanded registration of a case over allegations that pellet guns were used during a student protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20.
Rahul Gandhi sought an FIR and an investigation against the police personnel accused of firing pellets during the protest. Police did not register an FIR based on his demand, following which the Congress leader remained outside the police station and staged a sit-in protest.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also joined Rahul Gandhi during the protest. Rahul Gandhi brought Sahil, a student who says he was injured by a pellet gun during the Jantar Mantar protest, to the police station. He sat outside the police station with Sahil and his mother while continuing to demand action.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had visited the DCP’s office to inquire about the progress of the investigation into the alleged use of pellet guns during the protest.
Delhi Police Accepts Complaint in Pellet Gun Case
The Delhi Police said it has received the complaint concerning the pellet gun allegation and informed the investigating officer about it. The complainant was also informed that the Crime Branch is investigating cases registered in connection with the events of July 20.
According to the police, the Crime Branch is investigating the FIR registered during the CJP protest. The police also said the complaint would be forwarded in connection with the ongoing investigation.
The development came as Rahul Gandhi continued to seek formal registration of a case against the police personnel he alleges fired pellets at students during the protest.
While Rahul Gandhi was not the complainant in the pellet gun case, a complaint has been submitted to the Delhi Police by the person who filed the complaint.
Rahul Gandhi Demands FIR Against Police Personnel
Rahul Gandhi has been seeking registration of a case against the policemen whom he alleges used pellet guns during the student protest.
He initially went to the Mandir Marg police station and requested that a case be registered. After the request was not accepted there, he went to meet officials at the DCP Central office.
Two police officers spoke with Rahul Gandhi at the DCP’s office in New Delhi. They included Nupur Prasad, Joint Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, and DCP Sachin Sharma.
Rahul Gandhi subsequently went to the Parliament Street police station and continued to press for registration of a case. He said he would remain there until the case was formally registered and would continue demanding action over the allegation.
The Congress leader also brought the alleged victim, Sahil, to the police station. Sahil and his mother joined Rahul Gandhi during the sit-in outside the police station.
Student Sahil Alleges Pellet Gun Injury
The allegation relates to a protest march towards Parliament held in Delhi on July 20. Police used a lathi-charge during the protest involving students, and reports subsequently emerged alleging that pellet guns had also been used.
Rahul Gandhi has alleged that students were fired upon with pellet guns during the protest. He also appeared at a press conference alongside Sahil, who said he sustained injuries after a pellet gun was fired at him during the demonstration.
During the press conference, Rahul Gandhi referred to Sahil’s alleged injury and said:
“The evidence is in front of you all.”
Rahul Gandhi has continued to seek an investigation into the allegation and action against the police personnel whom he accuses of using pellet guns.
The Delhi Police, however, has denied using pellet guns during the protest. Police have maintained that pellet guns were not used during the July 20 demonstration.
Pellet Gun Allegation Remains Disputed
The allegations concerning pellet gun use remain disputed between Rahul Gandhi and the Delhi Police.
Rahul Gandhi has demanded that the police personnel accused of firing pellets face a case and that the allegation be investigated. The Delhi Police has said that it has received the complaint and that the Crime Branch is examining the cases connected with the July 20 events.
The complainant has been informed about the investigation, while Rahul Gandhi has also been informed of the police position.
The Congress leader’s sit-in at the police station followed his meetings with police officials and his demand for formal action. The police, meanwhile, continue to maintain that pellet guns were not used during the student protest.
