Delhi High Court delivered a key relief to Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba by issuing notices to Delhi Police over an FIR linked to a 2024 protest. The directive demands a comprehensive report, signaling judicial scrutiny of the charges.
The bench probed the FIR’s origins and probe progress, instructing police for an expedited reply. This move comes after Lamba’s petition claiming the case is a product of political animosity with no evidentiary support.
Lamba’s legal team contended that initial accusations fail to hold water on merits, urging dismissal. The court, opting for balanced proceedings, assured decisions only post full hearings.
Background reveals Rouse Avenue Court’s March 2024 action on a chargesheet accusing Lamba of clashing with officers at Jantar Mantar. Judge Dig Vinay Singh validated Magistrate Ashwani Panwar’s December 19, 2024, order framing charges for assault, obstruction, and defiance.
The sit-in, pre-Lok Sabha polls, pressed for women’s quota enforcement in legislatures. Despite Section 144-like restrictions near Jantar Mantar and denied march approval, protesters gathered, leading to the FIR.
This High Court notice disrupts the lower court’s momentum, providing Lamba a platform to contest politically charged allegations. Observers note it could set precedents for handling dissent in Delhi’s regulated protest zones.
With police response pending, the saga underscores broader debates on protest rights versus public order, keeping political circles on edge.