New Delhi, May 25 (H.S.): The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has convicted Congress leader Alka Lamba in a case related to a 2024 protest held at Jantar Mantar over women’s reservation, in violation of prohibitory orders.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar has directed that the hearing on the quantum of sentence will be held on June 5.

The court had reserved its verdict on May 4. In this case, it had earlier ordered the framing of charges against Alka Lamba on January 14. Charges were framed under Sections 132, 221, 233A, and 285 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The court had examined video evidence on December 20, 2025, in which it observed that the accused was seen forcibly obstructing a public servant in the discharge of his duties, crossing barricades, and instigating protesters. On August 20, 2025, the court had taken cognisance of the Delhi Police chargesheet and issued summons against Alka Lamba under Sections 221, 223A, 132, and 285 of the BNS.

The case pertains to a protest organised on July 29, 2024, at Jantar Mantar by the Women’s Congress over the issue of women’s reservation, where Alka Lamba was the main speaker.

According to the Delhi Police, a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was in effect at the time. It is alleged that Alka Lamba, along with other protesters, reached the barricades near Tolstoy Marg around 1:30 pm and began raising slogans. They were allegedly intent on marching towards Parliament.

Police officials at the scene used loudspeakers to inform the protesters about the prohibitory orders and warned them to disperse. However, according to the prosecution, Alka Lamba and her supporters pushed both male and female police personnel and crossed the barricades, while some protesters blocked Parliament Street.

Despite repeated warnings from the police, the protesters allegedly refused to disperse, following which Alka Lamba was arrested. An FIR was subsequently registered against her based on a statement by Sub-Inspector Anita Singh.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar