New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday reached Parliament Street police station with 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab, who was allegedly injured by a pellet gun during a protest at Jantar Mantar, and demanded registration of an FIR.
When police did not register the case, Gandhi sat in protest outside the police station.
Gandhi had raised the alleged use of pellet guns during the 20 July ‘Parliament March’ in Parliament during the Monsoon Session and sought an explanation from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Union minister Kiren Rijiju, however, had said that the police did not open fire.
Student allegedly lost vision in one eye
Sahil Lochab, a resident of Najafgarh in southwest Delhi and a student of Delhi University’s School of Open Learning, was allegedly injured in his right eye during the July 20 protest.
According to his family, Sahil underwent surgery at the AIIMS Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre. Doctors reportedly told the family that there was only a 1% possibility of vision returning to the injured eye because of severe damage to the pupil.
Sahil’s mother, Jyoti, said he had attended earlier protests organised by CJP and had gone to the July 20 demonstration because he believed the issue was connected to his education. She said he had always wanted to become a police officer.
Protest had continued for weeks
The CJP protest against alleged irregularities in examinations and the NEET paper leak began at Jantar Mantar on June 20. Activist Sonam Wangchuk also participated in a hunger strike.
The July 20 ‘Parliament March’ led to clashes between police and protesters. The agitation ended on July 25 following a demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
