A Delhi court has found Congress leader Alka Lamba guilty in a criminal case related to a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding women’s reservation before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The protest, led by the Mahila Congress, sought the implementation of a women’s quota and aimed to march towards Parliament. Lamba, the main speaker at the demonstration, was convicted for moving beyond the permitted protest area towards Tolstoy Road and attempting to march towards Parliament despite police warnings.
The court is set to decide on the sentencing on June 5. The case originated from an FIR filed by Delhi Police, alleging that prohibitory orders were in place during the protest, although Jantar Mantar was an authorized area for demonstrations. Lamba, along with other protesters, was accused of breaching the permitted protest zone, raising slogans, and obstructing public movement near Sansad Marg. Video evidence and police statements were crucial in establishing the case against Lamba.
Earlier, the trial court had framed charges against Lamba, noting video footage showing her allegedly pushing police personnel and instigating protesters to breach barricades. Lamba’s plea for discharge was rejected, and her revision plea challenging the charges framing was also dismissed by the court. The Delhi High Court is separately considering Lamba’s petition seeking to quash the FIR, chargesheet, and the order framing charges against her, with the next hearing scheduled for September 3.
