JAIPUR – The Congress party ended its 43-hour sit-in at the Jaipur Police Commissionerate on Wednesday afternoon after police issued a formal written refusal to register a Zero FIR over the alleged assault of student leader Ritu Barala.
Party leaders announced they will challenge the decision in the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court, accusing police of misinterpreting the law.
The protest began Monday around 6 p.m., led by Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra, Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully, and former minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas. Dotasra spent two nights at the commissionerate premises, later appearing in a wheelchair after injuring his foot during the demonstration.
The controversy stems from an October 13 incident in New Delhi, where Barala, a student leader with the National Students Union of India (NSUI), was allegedly assaulted by Delhi Police personnel inside a police vehicle and at a station during a demonstration. The protest was held against alleged voting irregularities and demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Party leader Rahul Gandhi had subsequently directed state leaders to seek an FIR in Rajasthan.
Jaipur Police Commissioner Sachin Mittal met with the delegating leaders on Wednesday to deliver the official response. Police stated that a Zero FIR could not be lodged because a complaint regarding the incident had already been filed at the Connaught Place police station in New Delhi and is currently under active investigation.
“They gave it to us in writing that BNSS Section 173 is not applicable in the present case,” Dotasara told reporters. “Now, we will not only get an FIR lodged by Barala but also take them to court for misinterpreting the law.”
Barala accused police of acting under political pressure. “There is a difference between receiving a complaint and registering an FIR” she said, adding that authorities delayed giving their written stance for three days.
Congress leaders alleged that state authorities, including Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, ignored their requests over the two-day standoff. With the sit-in concluded, the party plans to move forward with legal proceedings to compel the registration of the case
