New Delhi: Political temperatures in Delhi soared on Friday when Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, staged a sit-in protest outside a police station against the use of pellet guns. Gandhi persisted in demanding the registration of an FIR, even though the police initially attempted to downplay the matter.
Shortly thereafter, the Delhi Police acceded to Rahul Gandhi’s demand and registered an FIR. The Congress leader had declared that he would not move from the protest site until the case was registered. The FIR has been lodged against unknown persons.
The Delhi Police had previously resorted to a lathi-charge against students during a protest by the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’. In protest against the lathi-charge, Rahul Gandhi had also staged a sit-in outside the Prime Minister’s residence, from where he was detained and taken to Chhatrasal Stadium.
Case registered based on Sahil Lochab’s complaint
Following a complaint by Sahil Lochab, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against unknown persons regarding the pellet gun incident. No specific names have been listed as accused in the FIR so far. Amidst Rahul Gandhi’s sit-in, Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi, Randeep Surjewala, and Kumari Selja arrived at the DCP’s office.
The Leader of the Opposition had gone to meet Nupur Prasad, the Joint Commissioner of Police (Delhi Police), who had recently assumed office. Rahul Gandhi presented several grievances and demanded action, but no immediate decision was reached. Upon stepping out, he sat in protest. A chair was provided for him, and a large crowd of media personnel and security staff gathered at the scene.
Congress continuously questions the government.
The Congress party has been consistently targeting the government over the use of pellet guns during the student protests. The party has demanded to know who issued the order to fire pellet guns at the protesting students, insisting that Amit Shah and the Delhi Police provide a public response regarding the matter. The Congress had also alleged that Sahil and his family were repeatedly demanding the registration of an FIR, but the police were paying absolutely no heed to their demands.
Although the Delhi Police eventually accepted the written complaint, the Crime Branch is now investigating the matter. Meanwhile, a high-powered committee appointed by the Supreme Court had also been constituted, and its report was awaited. Before this, Rahul Gandhi had staged a sit-in protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence, from where he was detained and taken to Chhatrasal Stadium. Several leaders, including Randeep Surjewala and Kumari Selja, had also arrived at the scene.
