'FIR only after Shah's OK': Rahul on case lodged over protester's pellet injury

Lok Sabha leader of the opposition, Rahul Gandhi, stated on Friday that the registered FIR over student protester Sahil Lochab's alleged pellet-gun injury during the July 20 march represents the "first step towards justice". He claimed that the final approval for the case registration had to come from Amit Shah, the Home Secretary and Union Home Minister.

Lochab is still suffering from pellet injuries, with three lodged in his eye and others near his heart. The Congress leader arrived at the police station just before 7 am, only to find out that the FIR was registered eight hours later. Rahul emphasized the need for justice, highlighting that such incidents are not uncommon in the country.

The FIR was registered under Sections 118 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deal with causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons and acts endangering the life or personal safety of others. Rahul had accompanied Lochab to the DCP office, demanding action on his complaint against excessive use of force during the students' "Sansad Chalo" march.

Later, Rahul staged a sit-in outside the police station, alleging that the police refused to register the complaint. He accused authorities of undermining constitutional principles, stating that refusing to register an FIR amounted to the Constitution being trampled.