Alka Lamba convicted in 2024 protest case

Former Congress MLA Alka Lamba

NEW DELHI: Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Monday convicted former Congress MLA Alka Lamba in a case linked to a protest over women’s reservation held at Jantar Mantar in 2024, news agency ANI reported. The case pertains to an FIR registered at Parliament Street Police Station following the protest demonstration organised in support of women’s reservation. She had denied all allegations and sought trial. The court convicted Lamba on charges related to alleged violation of prohibitory orders and obstruction of public servants from discharging their duties. The matter will now be listed for arguments on sentencing on June 4. Lamba had denied the allegations during the trial and sought a full hearing. After the verdict, she said, “This is exactly what I expected would happen. It's a case from July 2024, the monsoon session was underway, and as the National President of Mahila Congress, all my sisters and I were protesting at Jantar Mantar under constitutional democratic rights, demanding the implementation of women's reservation and security for women. " "It was then that the police, under pressure in the case, filed an FIR and a chargesheet against me. Today, I found out that I've been found guilty-this is a very big crime. I'm not one to be scared; give me whatever punishment you want. It's a matter of women's safety. There's chaos and cries for help across the entire country because of this, and if we fight, we're held guilty," Lamba added further. Earlier in April, the court had recorded Lamba’s statement after framing charges against her in the case. According to the prosecution, the Congress leader participated in the protest despite restrictions in force at the site, leading to the registration of the FIR in 2024. Lamba, however, maintained during proceedings that she was innocent and had been falsely implicated in the matter.(With agency inputs)