Congress Protests in Jaipur Over FIR Demand in Ritu Barala Case

Jaipur, October 19: Congress leaders and activists staged a protest late last night at the Jaipur Police Commissionerate gate. This demonstration was in response to the demand for an FIR against Delhi police officers accused of assaulting NSUI National Secretary Ritu Barala during a protest on October 13.

Ritu Barala filed a complaint at the Moti Dungri police station in Jaipur, seeking action against the officers involved. As the FIR was not registered, state Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra and other party leaders gathered at the commissionerate, chanting slogans and sitting in protest.

Dotasra expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that it was unfortunate for Rajasthan police to refuse to file an FIR despite the actions taken by Delhi police. He emphasized that registering an FIR is Ritu Barala’s right, not a favor from the police.

“Filing an FIR is Ritu Barala’s right, not a police favor. If FIRs can be registered in other states, why not in Rajasthan? If necessary, we will approach the DGP,” Dotasra stated. He assured that the Congress would continue its protests until the FIR is filed and accountability is established for the guilty officers.

The protest lasted three hours, with opposition leader Tikaram Julie reporting that Congress workers had been demonstrating for this duration. Many prominent figures joined the protest, including Dotasra, MLA Rafiq Khan, MLA Amin Kagzi, former minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Women’s Congress state president Sarika Singh Chaudhary, and Jaipur district Congress president Sunil Sharma. Julie questioned the Chief Minister, asking why FIRs can be registered in non-BJP ruled states but not in BJP-ruled Rajasthan.

Khachariyawas also stated that the Congress would not back down until Ritu Barala’s FIR is filed, and justice will not be silenced. The state Congress shared a video from the commissionerate, declaring, “We will not be silenced, nor will we stop; we will seek justice.”

In her complaint, Ritu Barala alleged that during the NSUI protest in Delhi, she was assaulted by police officers. She claimed that on October 13, around 2:30 PM, while protesting near Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, Delhi police forcibly took her and other protesters onto a bus and transported them to Connaught Place police station.

Barala reported that police officers choked her, pulled her hair, and slapped her, resulting in injuries to her face and body. She alleged that her ears were crushed, causing severe pain and hearing issues. The complaint also included accusations of police officers kicking her in sensitive areas, twisting her fingers, and making derogatory comments about her character. She specifically accused a female officer, Chanchal Yadav, of choking her on the bus.

Ritu Barala was admitted to Lady Hardinge Medical College in Delhi on October 13 and was discharged the following day. She stated that she was in shock and fear after the incident, which delayed her ability to file a report. In her complaint, she demanded an investigation, the filing of an FIR, and legal action against the involved officers. Instead of registering her FIR, she was directed to meet Police Commissioner Sachin Mittal.

This incident dates back six days, during a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, where a physical altercation occurred between Ritu Barala and a female police officer, captured on video. The next day, during a press conference with Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, Ritu detailed the incident, with Gandhi referring to her as a “lioness.” Ritu, originally from Jhunjhunu, currently resides in Jaipur and has been active in student politics at Rajasthan University.

As of now, there has been no official response from Delhi police regarding the allegations, nor has Jaipur police issued a statement regarding the refusal to file an FIR.

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Ganpat Singh Chouhan: My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.