19-Year-Old CJP Protester Undergoes Surgery at AIIMS for Pellet Eye Injury

A 19-year-old student protester, Sahil Lochab, underwent surgery at the AIIMS Trauma Centre in New Delhi after sustaining severe eye and facial injuries during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) "Sansad Chalo" march on July 20, 2026.

Lochab, a resident of Najafgarh in southwest Delhi who had appeared for the 2024 Delhi Police recruitment examination before paper leak allegations stalled the process, joined the CJP-led demonstration near Jantar Mantar.

Hospital Details and Medical Findings

• Injuries: Lochab sustained pellet injuries on the right side of his face and body, with shrapnel lodged in his right eye.
• Medical Treatment: He was transferred from Lady Hardinge Hospital to Safdarjung Hospital, then to the RP Centre at AIIMS, and finally admitted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre.
• AIIMS Statement: A senior AIIMS official confirmed Lochab was admitted with pellet injuries, remains in stable condition on painkillers, and is undergoing treatment. The official stated it would be premature to draw final conclusions on the extent of vision recovery.
• Victom Statement: Speaking from bed 9 of the AIIMS Trauma Centre ward, Lochab stated doctors informed him he has a minimal chance of recovering eyesight in his right eye.

Secondary Reports

• A second demonstrator, 25-year-old Irshad Shaikh, an MBA graduate from Gurgaon, was also admitted to Lady Hardinge Hospital following the same rally, alleging injuries from pellets fired by security personnel near Connaught Place.

What Remains Unverified

• Source of Projectiles: Police authorities have not issued a formal statement confirming whether Rapid Action Force (RAF) or Delhi Police personnel deployed rubber bullets or pellet munitions during the July 20 clashes.
• Official Tally: Total counts of demonstrators injured by non-lethal projectiles during the Parliament march remain unconfirmed by hospital networks or police authorities [unverified].