Congress Leader Alka Lamba Convicted for Assaulting Police Officer During Women’s Reservation Protest at Jantar Mantar

A Delhi court on Monday convicted Congress leader Alka Lamba for assaulting a police officer and obstructing law enforcement personnel during a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding implementation of women’s reservation in Parliament ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwani Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Court held Lamba guilty under Sections 132, 221, 223(a) and 285 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which deal with assault or criminal force against a public servant, intentional obstruction of a public servant, disobedience of lawful orders and causing obstruction or danger in a public way.

The court observed that the prosecution had successfully established both the actus reus and mens rea necessary to prove the offences beyond reasonable doubt. It noted that witness testimonies and documentary evidence collectively demonstrated Lamba’s involvement in the incident and left no room for doubt regarding her liability under the relevant provisions of the BNS.

The court said arguments on sentencing would be heard on June 5.

The case relates to a protest held on July 29, 2024, at Jantar Mantar in support of women’s reservation in Parliament, where Lamba was allegedly the main speaker. According to the prosecution, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force in the Jantar Mantar area and permission to march towards Parliament had been denied by authorities.

Police alleged that despite repeated warnings, Lamba and other protesters attempted to breach barricades, raised slogans calling for a gherao of Parliament, pushed police personnel and blocked a public road by staging a sit-in demonstration. Following the protest, an FIR was registered at Parliament Street police station.

During the trial, Lamba’s counsel argued that the protest was peaceful and conducted within a designated protest zone. The defence also contended that there were no independent witnesses or medical reports showing injuries to police personnel and claimed that video footage did not show Lamba assaulting any officer.