Court Grants Probation to Alka Lamba in Women’s Reservation Protest Case; Congress Leader to Challenge Conviction

New Delhi, June 2026: A Delhi court on Saturday ordered the release of senior Congress leader and All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba on probation of good conduct for one year in connection with a case arising from a protest demanding the implementation of women’s reservation ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The order was passed by the Rouse Avenue Court, which directed Lamba to furnish a good conduct bond and a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh. While granting probation, the court effectively spared the Congress leader from immediate imprisonment following her conviction in the matter.

Reacting to the development, Lamba said she would challenge the conviction before a higher court and continue her campaign for women’s rights.

“I have indeed been convicted by the Rouse Avenue Court, and I will certainly challenge that conviction through my lawyers. This fight for women’s rights will continue,” she said after the court proceedings.

The case relates to a demonstration organised by the Mahila Congress on July 29, 2024, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The protest was aimed at pressing the government to implement women’s reservation and was held in the run-up to the parliamentary elections. During the demonstration, a group of protesters allegedly attempted to march towards Parliament, leading to a confrontation with police personnel.

Last month, the trial court had convicted Lamba after examining evidence presented by the prosecution. The case stemmed from a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Delhi Police, which alleged that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force in the Parliament Street subdivision at the time of the protest.

Although Jantar Mantar was exempted as a designated protest site, police claimed that demonstrators moved beyond the permitted area and proceeded towards Tolstoy Road and Parliament. According to the prosecution, Lamba, who was the principal speaker at the gathering, led the crowd, raised slogans and attempted to advance towards Parliament despite repeated warnings from law enforcement officials.

During earlier proceedings, the court had relied on video footage and witness statements to conclude that there was sufficient material to frame charges against Lamba. The footage allegedly showed protesters pushing barricades, moving beyond the designated protest zone and obstructing police personnel performing their duties.

The court subsequently framed charges under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including offences related to assault or use of criminal force against public servants, obstruction of public servants in the discharge of official duties, disobedience of lawful orders and causing obstruction in a public way.

In December 2025, the trial court rejected Lamba’s plea seeking discharge from the case. The court held that at the stage of framing charges, the prosecution’s material had to be accepted at face value and that the defence arguments could only be examined during the trial.

Lamba later challenged the order before the Sessions Court, but her revision petition was dismissed in February this year. Additional Sessions Judge Dig Vinay Singh ruled that there was no legal error or procedural irregularity in the magistrate’s decision to frame charges.

The Sessions Court also observed that the absence of medical injury reports did not weaken the prosecution’s case, noting that actual physical injury was not a necessary requirement for offences involving the alleged use of criminal force.

With the court now granting probation, Lamba remains free while preparing to challenge her conviction before a higher judicial forum. The case continues to draw attention as it intersects issues of political protest, public order and the broader debate over women’s representation in legislatures.