A Delhi sessions court has declined to interfere with criminal proceedings against Congress leader Alka Lamba, clearing the way for charges linked to an alleged confrontation with police during a protest at Jantar Mantar.
The court upheld an earlier magistrate’s order that found sufficient grounds to proceed against Lamba for alleged assault on public servants, obstruction of officials, defiance of lawful orders, and blocking a public road. The judge ruled that the lower court’s decision showed no legal flaw or procedural error that would justify setting it aside.
With that, Lamba’s attempt to have the case dismissed at this stage came to an end.
The matter stems from a demonstration held in July 2024, when activists gathered to press for the implementation of women’s reservation in Parliament ahead of the general elections. Lamba was named as the main speaker at the protest.
Authorities claim that prohibitory orders were in force around the Jantar Mantar area and that permission to march toward Parliament had been clearly denied. Despite this, police allege that protesters tried to push past barricades, raised slogans calling for a blockade of Parliament, jostled police personnel, and occupied a public road. An FIR was later registered following the incident.
Lamba has maintained that the protest was peaceful and conducted within an area meant for public assemblies. She has also disputed allegations of physical confrontation, pointing to the absence of injury reports and questioning the strength of the evidence cited against her.
For now, the sessions court’s ruling means the case will continue as framed, keeping the spotlight on a protest that has moved from the streets of Delhi into its courtrooms.
