A Delhi court rejected Congress leader Alka Lamba’s plea challenging criminal charges framed against her for participating in a protest at Jantar Mantar. The court stated that there were no legal errors in the order directing charges against Lamba. The protest was held to demand women’s reservation in Parliament before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate had ordered charges under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against Lamba. The protest, where Lamba was a key speaker, took place at Jantar Mantar in July 2024. Despite claims of a peaceful protest in an exempted area, the court found evidence that the demonstration extended beyond the permitted zone.
Prosecution alleged that Lamba and other protesters breached the permitted area, attempted to encircle Parliament, and obstructed public movement. The court dismissed Lamba’s argument of peaceful protest and upheld the decision to proceed with the trial. It concluded that there was sufficient evidence to charge Lamba with obstructing public servants and causing public way obstruction.
