NEW DELHI — Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi staged a protest outside the Parliament Street Police Station and the DCP office in Connaught Place on Friday, demanding the registration of a formal complaint over the alleged use of excessive force, including pellet guns, against students during a July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.

Sources stated that Gandhi met with senior police officials and declared he would remain at the location until a First Information Report (FIR) is formally registered. Prior to visiting the DCP Central office, Gandhi had visited the Mandir Marg Police Station, where police allegedly declined to register the case.

The Congress party stated that Gandhi accompanied student protester Sahil Lochav, who was allegedly injured by a pellet gun during a demonstration addressing NEET examination irregularities. According to the party, the timeline of efforts to file a case includes:

August 14: Lochav submitted a written complaint in the presence of lawyers, but received no acknowledgement or Investigating Officer (I/O) number. August 17: The matter was followed up via email and phone calls without an I/O number being provided.

Friday: Gandhi and Lochav visited the DCP office, where the party alleged officials continued to withhold the I/O number and officer details. The Congress party termed the lack of action a "denial of justice" for a cognisable offence.

Previously, on July 25, Gandhi criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a press conference, alleging that Shah had authorised lethal force during the demonstrations.

The underlying protest on July 20 saw thousands of students participate in a march organised by the CJP toward Parliament. Protesters demanded systemic examination reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged paper leaks.

Security personnel used tear gas and a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd after protesters attempted to cross barricades. In response to allegations of excessive force, Delhi Police stated that force was deployed only after sections of the crowd turned violent and engaged in stone-pelting.