Pellet Gun Victim Credits Rahul Gandhi As FIR Filed, Calls It ‘First Step Towards Justice’

Pellet gun firing victim Sahil Lochav has credited Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi with helping him get an FIR registered, alleging that his complaint had remained pending for days despite repeated attempts to approach the police.

Lochav said Gandhi called him to enquire about his health and, during the conversation, learned that the FIR had not yet been filed. He claimed Gandhi then offered to meet him and assist in getting the case registered. “He called to ask about my health. I told him that my FIR wasn’t being registered. He immediately said, ‘Let’s meet tomorrow; I will go and get your FIR filed,’” Lochav told reporters.

Thanking Gandhi for his support, Lochav described the FIR as an important beginning in his pursuit of justice.

Complaint Pending Since August 14

Lochav claimed that the FIR was eventually registered after an eight-hour wait. He said he had been trying to get a case registered since August 14. “Perhaps it wouldn’t have been registered at all if the LOP hadn’t supported me,” he said.

According to Lochav, pellet guns were allegedly fired at him on July 20. He was subsequently treated at Delhi’s Lady Hardinge Hospital before being referred to AIIMS, where he underwent surgery. Lochav said his vision in the affected eye remains unclear.

He added that his lawyer had submitted a seven-page complaint on August 14, but no FIR was registered at the time.

Lawyer Claims Police Sent Them Between Stations

Lochav’s lawyer alleged that they initially approached the Connaught Place police station but were directed to Parliament Street because the incident was linked to Jantar Mantar.

The lawyer claimed Parliament Street officials subsequently sent them back to Connaught Place, saying the incident fell within its jurisdiction.

According to the lawyer, the complaint was not accepted when they returned, and they were made to wait for a considerable period. They later approached the Crime Branch but were allegedly told that complaints could not be submitted directly there.

Medical Report Cited

The lawyer also referred to Lochav’s medico-legal case report from Lady Hardinge Hospital, which he said recorded “punctured wounds and blood oozing out”. “This is a clear offence that has happened,” the lawyer said while citing the medical record.

Lochav now hopes that the registration of the FIR will lead to a full investigation into the alleged pellet gun firing and help establish accountability for the incident.