Delhi court convicts Congress leader Alka Lamba for assault on police during women's reservation protest

A Delhi court on Monday convicted Congress leader Alka Lamba for assaulting a police officer during a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding implementation of women's reservation in parliament before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ashwani Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Court convicted Lamba for offences under Sections 132 (assault or the use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging their official duties), 221 (intentional obstruction of any public servant), 223a (disobedience of lawful orders issued by a public servant) and 285 (causes danger, obstruction, or injury to another person in a public way) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

The Court said that the actus reus as well as mens rea to commit each of the four offences in question has successfully been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

"From the documentary evidence and deposition of the witnesses as well as the other material on record, this Court has no hitch in saying that the accused is liable to be convicted of all the four offences she is charged with... Keeping in view the above discussion, accused Alka Lamba, stands convicted for the offences punishable under Section 132/221/223(a)/285 of the BNS," the Court said.

Judge Panwar said that he will hear arguments on Lamba's sentence on June 5.

Lamba was charged with the offences on December 19, 2025. It had also rejected her plea seeking discharge in the case.

The case relates to a protest held on July 29, 2024, in support of women’s reservation in parliament, during which Lamba was alleged to be the main speaker.

According to the prosecution, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force in the area around Jantar Mantar Road and permission to march towards parliament had been expressly denied.

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 sitting on it. An FIR was registered at the Parliament Street police station following the incident.

Lamba’s lawyer argued that the protest was peaceful and took place within a designated area where assemblies are permitted. It was also contended that there were no independent witnesses, no medical reports of injuries, and that video evidence did not show Lamba assaulting any police officer. 

[Read Judgment]