The Congress ended its nearly two-day protest at the Jaipur Police Commissionerate on Wednesday after police issued a written refusal to register a zero FIR over the alleged assault on NSUI leader Ritu Barala by Delhi Police personnel. The party said it would approach the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court to challenge the interpretation of Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra and other party leaders called off the sit-in after receiving the police response. They had been camping at the commissionerate since Monday evening, demanding the registration of an FIR.
Congress Challenges Police Decision
Police reportedly stated that Barala had already filed a complaint at Connaught Place police station in Delhi on October 13 and that the matter was under investigation. According to Jaipur Police, registering another FIR in Rajasthan over the same facts would not be legally permissible.
Dotasra said the party would seek judicial interpretation of the relevant legal provision and pursue the registration of a case. He also announced plans to initiate legal action against officials whom he accused of wrongly interpreting the law.
The Congress leader alleged that police had failed to communicate their decision promptly. He claimed that party leaders had approached senior officials after the Moti Dungri police station declined to register the FIR on Monday evening.
Dotasra further accused the state government and senior police officials of ignoring the demand for justice. He alleged that officials were acting under political influence, including that of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. These allegations were made by the Congress leader and have not been independently established in the account provided.
Protest Over Alleged Assault on Ritu Barala
Barala has alleged that Delhi Police women constables assaulted her during an NSUI protest near Rajiv Chowk Metro station on October 13. The student organisation had demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.
The Jaipur protest intensified on Tuesday as Congress workers gathered outside the commissionerate and demanded an FIR. Scuffles reportedly broke out between protesters and police, affecting traffic. Police used mild force late Tuesday night to disperse the gathering.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had asked Dotasra to pursue legal action over the alleged assault. Although the sit-in has ended, the party says its legal challenge will continue.
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