19-year-old student faces near-certain vision loss after pellet injury at Delhi protest

A 19-year-old student, Sahil Lochab, is battling to save the vision in his right eye after suffering a pellet injury during the July 20 protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

Nineteen-year-old Sahil Lochab was waving the national flag at the Jantar Mantar protest when a pellet struck his right eye. Within moments, blood streamed down his face, staining his white shirt. He was taken to Lady Hardinge Medical College before being referred to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where doctors are battling to save his vision.

A senior doctor at AIIMS Delhi, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Sahil has suffered a pellet injury. “A pellet injury to the eye is considered a medical emergency and can cause catastrophic damage, including a ruptured eyeball, internal bleeding, retinal detachment, cataracts and traumatic optic neuropathy. In many cases, pellets become lodged inside the eye or orbit, requiring complex microsurgical procedures.” he said.

Delhi police have said they do not possess pellet guns and do not use them. However, paramilitary forces, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialised 15-battalion wing of India’s Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), were deployed during the July 20 protest.

Sitting outside the surgery ward, his mother, Jyoti, struggles to come to terms with the prognosis. “The pellet entered his eye and ruptured the pupil. Doctors have told us there is only a one percent chance that vision in his right eye can be restored,” she said.

A resident of Najafgarh, Sahil is a final-year student at the School of Open Learning. He aspired to join the Delhi Police and was preparing for the head constable recruitment examination. He had also appeared for the Staff Selection Commission’s Combined Graduate Level (SSC-CGL) examination for recruitment to Group B and C posts in central government departments.

According to Jyoti, Sahil had been visiting Jantar Mantar for the past two days and was strongly concerned about issues related to the country’s education system. “Everyone was going, so he also decided to go. I didn’t stop him. He told me that since he is a college student, he too should protest,” she said.

His friend, Parvesh Madaan, described Sahil as someone deeply engaged with issues affecting students. “He is very concerned about such matters. He was simply waving the national flag when the Delhi Police started using pellet guns,” he alleges.

Jyoti demanded to know why pellets hit peaceful protestors and tear gas shells. “How can they do this to young children who only want to build their career. It’s the responsibility of the government to see who fired the pellet gun,” she said.

Sahil underwent one surgery on Monday night and requires another. Doctors have also removed pellets lodged in his body, but remain uncertain about the possibility of restoring vision in his injured eye.

About nine kilometres away, at Lady Hardinge Medical College, Sheikh Irshad Mansoor is recovering after a pellet struck just below his eye, narrowly missing the eyeball.

His friend, Vikas, said Irshad’s condition has improved and that his family is travelling from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, to be with him.

“One pellet is still lodged in his neck and will have to be removed. Surgeons have already operated to remove another pellet from below his eye,” Vikas said.

Irshad, who works at a private company, had gone to Connaught Place for work before deciding to join the protest.

“He was hit near Palika Bazaar in Connaught Place by a Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel in uniform,” Vikas alleges. On Tuesday, Irshad also met Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda.

Meanwhile, an official at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, said around 65 protesters and 10 police personnel were brought to the emergency department on Monday with injuries ranging from head trauma to fractures.

Among them was a 21-year-old woman who was admitted to the intensive care unit in critical condition. Hospital officials said she is now stable and recovering.

Hospital sources said many protesters were admitted with serious injuries, including broken ribs, crush injuries, fractures, eye injuries, chest trauma, abdominal bleeding, deep cuts and lacerations to the head, neck and limbs. One hospital source said a 20-year-old man suffered severe facial injuries after being struck by a tear gas shell. The source added that several police personnel were also treated for minor injuries.

Published on July 22, 2026