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Rahul Gandhi confronting a police officer demanding FIR in police action on CJP march. Photo: Rahul Gandhi/X

Rahul Gandhi stages dharna at Delhi police station over CJP protest crackdown, targets Amit Shah

| @indiablooms | Aug 21, 2026, at 02:09 pm

New Delhi/IBNS: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday camped at the Parliament Street Police Station after police allegedly refused to register a First Information Report (FIR) over the crackdown on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters during the July 20 Parliament march.

Gandhi walked into the police station with 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who allegedly lost an eye after being injured by a pellet gun during the police crackdown on protesters.

He demanded that an FIR be registered in connection with the incident.

When police allegedly refused to file the FIR, citing the constitution of an expert committee by the Supreme Court, Gandhi staged a dharna outside the police station.

Gandhi targets Amit Shah

Gandhi criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is responsible for law and order in the national capital, over the alleged police action against the protesters.

The Congress MP said, "Today, I went to the DCP office at Parliament Street to file an FIR against the police brutality faced by Sahil Lochab."

He alleged that Sahil was peacefully protesting at Jantar Mantar on July 20 when police used a pellet gun against him, leaving his vision in one eye at risk.

Gandhi said such alleged action against a peaceful protest was "not just illegal" but "a serious crime".

‘Constitutional rights are being trampled upon’

Gandhi further alleged that neither Amit Shah nor Prime Minister Narendra Modi had offered an explanation or apology to the students over the incident.

"Now, when Sahil wants to file an FIR for justice, even that is not being allowed. In this way, the Constitution and constitutional rights are being trampled upon," he said.

Targeting Shah, Gandhi added, "Amit Shah-ji, why are you so scared of justice? This fear shows that you are admitting to your crime."

He said the FIR would eventually be registered and a judicial inquiry would take place.

"Action will be taken against everyone—from top to bottom—who is guilty of this brutality. We will ensure justice for Sahil, and every student victim like him," Gandhi added.

Shah offers to respond to Opposition questions

During the monsoon session of Parliament, Shah had appealed to the Opposition to allow a debate on the police action against NEET protesters, saying he was ready to "respond to every question" raised by the Opposition.

Shah had said the government had nothing to hide while speaking to reporters outside Parliament.

Gandhi seeks answers over police action

Gandhi, however, had said he was not interested in a "lecture" from the Home Minister and instead wanted answers regarding the alleged police action against students during the Parliament march.

He had questioned who had ordered the alleged use of force against the protesters and sought accountability for the injuries allegedly suffered by students.

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