Delhi Protests Pellet Gun Use Controversy

25 UPDATES · 30 DAYS · 24 JUL 2026 — 22 AUG 2026

Rahul GandhiCongressDelhiSmriti IraniPriyanka GandhiBJPDMKNarendra Modi

Latest · 22 Aug 2026

Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, successfully pressured authorities to file an FIR for Sahil Lochab after a seven-hour sit-in.

What this timeline covers

This event covers the controversy surrounding the use of pellet guns by Delhi Police during protests, including reactions, analyses, and follow-up developments related to the incident. It excludes other actions by the Delhi Police, protesters, and political figures unless they are direct developments of the pellet gun use controversy.

The full story, from the beginning

24Jul

STORY BEGINS — NDTV

On July 20, Delhi Police denied using pellet guns during protests

NDTV

A 28-year-old protester sustained 30 pellet gun wounds during a CJP protest against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Delhi.

26Jul

NDTV

Rahul Gandhi demanded accountability for the Delhi protests against the NEET paper leak, questioning the use of pellet guns by authorities.

The Hindu

Rahul Gandhi demanded accountability for the Delhi student assault, questioning whether lethal force was authorized and threatening to disrupt Parliament.

27Jul

NDTV

India's CRPF is investigating the use of pellet guns by RAF personnel during protests in Delhi.

The Hindu

The Opposition, divided on strategy, decided to highlight police brutality and education issues during the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.

28Jul

NDTV

Priyanka Gandhi questioned the use of pellet guns and other force against student protesters in Delhi during a parliamentary discussion.

NDTV

A 24-year-old woman from Jharkhand, Nutan Toppo, suffered severe injuries during a police crackdown on the "Chalo Sansad" protest in Delhi, requiring two hours of surgery.

1Aug

BBC

Independent experts confirmed that injuries sustained by CJP supporters during Delhi protests on July 20 were caused by pellet guns.

The Hindu

The Rapid Action Force used pellet guns on protesters during a Parliament march, sparking criticism and calls for the Union Home Minister's resignation.

10Aug

NDTV

Rahul Gandhi accused the government of using excessive force against protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 20th, blaming Home Minister Amit Shah for either approval or incompetence.

11Aug

The Hindu

At least 10 people were injured by pellets during a July 20 protest march to Parliament, according to RTI responses from hospitals.

18Aug

NDTV

Rahul Gandhi accused Kiren Rijiju of using lathis studded with nails against protesters during the Jantar Mantar demonstrations, while Rijiju defended the Delhi Police's handling of the protest.

21Aug

NDTV

Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in outside the Parliament Street Police Station, demanding an FIR for the alleged use of pellet guns against Sahil Lochab.

NDTV

Rahul Gandhi staged a dharna outside a police station to demand an FIR be filed for a pellet gun victim, Sahil Lochab, citing the victim's severe injuries.

The Hindu

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, along with a pellet gun victim, protested for an FIR registration following injuries sustained during a July 20 protest.

The Hindu

Rahul Gandhi and Sahil Lochab staged a dharna outside Parliament Street Police Station demanding an FIR for pellet injuries Lochab sustained during a July protest.

The Hindu

Sahil Lochab, a Delhi University student, sustained 99% vision loss in his right eye from pellet injuries during the July 20 protests.

NDTV

Smriti Irani criticized Rahul Gandhi's actions during a youth protest, accusing him of political theater while investigations into pellet gun use continue.

The Hindu

Rahul Gandhi and Sahil Lochab successfully persuaded Delhi Police to register an FIR following a July 20 protest, where Lochab sustained pellet injuries.

NDTV

Following Rahul Gandhi's sit-in protest, Delhi police agreed to register an FIR based on student Sahil Lochab's complaint and medical reports.

NDTV

Sahil Lochab filed a FIR alleging he was injured by pellets fired from a person in a blue uniform during a July 20 protest march.

NDTV

Rahul Gandhi initiated a 7-hour sit-in outside the Parliament Street police station to demand an FIR for Sahil Lochab, a student injured by pellets during a July 20 protest.

The Hindu

Rahul Gandhi initiated a new political strategy by conducting an unannounced protest to secure an FIR for a pellet-gun victim.

22Aug

LATEST UPDATE — NDTV

Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, successfully pressured authorities to file an FIR for Sahil Lochab after a seven-hour sit-in.

Story concluded