Jaipur- After nearly three days of continuous protest at the Jaipur Police Commissionerate, Rajasthan Congress on Wednesday suspended its satyagraha demanding a Zero FIR in the alleged assault case of NSUI national secretary Ritu Barala. The decision came after Jaipur Police handed over a written reply refusing to register the FIR, stating that a complaint regarding the same incident had already been submitted in Delhi.

Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) president Govind Singh Dotasara announced that the party will now challenge the police’s written response in court, alleging misinterpretation of Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and violation of Supreme Court guidelines.

What Happened to Ritu Barala

On October 13, during an NSUI protest near Rajiv Chowk Metro Station in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities, Ritu Barala (a native of Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan) was detained along with other activists. She has alleged that inside the detention bus, Delhi Police woman constable Chanchal Yadav (along with others named Sonika and Jyoti) grabbed her by the neck, pulled her hair, scratched her face with nails, slapped her, and later assaulted her with batons on the legs at the police station.

Ritu later approached Moti Dungri police station in Jaipur on October 19 seeking registration of a Zero FIR, stating she was unable to pursue the matter further in Delhi due to medical treatment.

Following a phone call from Rahul Gandhi, Dotasra, along with Ritu Barala and senior leaders including Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas and others, reached the Jaipur Police Commissionerate on the evening of October 19 after Moti Dungri police accepted the complaint but refused to register an FIR.

The leaders staged an indefinite sit-in inside the premises, spending two nights there. On Tuesday, large numbers of party workers gathered outside, leading to scuffles with police, barricading of gates, and use of mild force. Tika Ram Jully described the commissionerate as an “undeclared jail,” alleging locked gates, closed washrooms, and denial of entry to media and Congress office-bearers. Dotasra sustained injuries after a fall on Wednesday morning. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also visited the protest site and demanded that the government uphold the law, particularly the mandatory provision for Zero FIR in cases involving women.

In a letter dated October 21 (No. 152) from the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (East), Jaipur, the police stated:
“On 19.10.2026, Ms Ritu Barala submitted a complaint at Police Station Moti Dungri, Jaipur (East) regarding an incident that occurred in Delhi on 13.10.2026 seeking registration of an FIR. In this regard, it is clarified that as per information received from Delhi Police, Ms Ritu Barala has already submitted a complaint regarding the said incident at Connaught Place Police Station, Delhi. Since the complainant has already given a complaint at the concerned police station, registration of a Zero FIR under Section 173(1) of BNSS at Police Station Moti Dungri, Jaipur (East), Rajasthan is not legally permissible.”

Police maintained that the matter is already under investigation in Delhi under FIR No. 291/2026 and that registering another FIR on the same facts in Rajasthan would not be lawful.

In a detailed statement, Dotasara said: “Justice is our resolve, and justice will be delivered. We will not rest until Rajasthan’s daughter Ritu Barala gets justice. Despite three days of Congress satyagraha, the BJP government and Rajasthan Police have clearly refused to ensure justice and register an FIR.

Ignoring Section 173(1) of BNSS and Supreme Court guidelines, and refusing the FIR by wrongly interpreting the legal provisions in a written reply, is unfortunate and a violation of the law. How can there be two different approaches under the same law in two states of one country?

In Kerala, a Zero FIR was registered for another student victim linked to the same incident, but Rajasthan Police has refused by misinterpreting the provisions of the same law. When BNSS applies across the country, how can action be taken under the law in Kerala while the same provisions are denied in Rajasthan? Will compliance with the law depend on the whims of the state government and police? The BJP government and police of Rajasthan must answer this question.

Therefore, Rajasthan Congress has decided to challenge the police’s written reply in court and fight the legal battle for justice. The three-day satyagraha has been suspended, but the struggle for justice has not ended.

The BJP government should listen carefully: the satyagraha has been suspended, not the struggle. Under the leadership of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and our leader Rahul Gandhi, Rajasthan Congress will fight every legal battle to secure justice for Ritu Barala. Accountability of every responsible officer who refused to register the FIR, misinterpreted the law, and shirked their duties will also be fixed. Protection of power cannot place anyone above the law.

Our resolve is clear: the fight for justice will continue till the last breath, accountability will be fixed, and we will not bow before injustice. We will not rest until we secure justice for Rajasthan’s daughter Ritu Barala.”

Reacting on the development, LoP TikaRam Jully stated, "It was a historic moment, reflecting how people are working to dismantle democracy in this country. These people have decided that they will not abide by any rules, laws, or the Constitution. And they are giving it in writing. The FIR, which was registered under specific rules in Kerala, is being denied in Rajasthan. We will take this matter to court, even if we have to go to the Supreme Court. We will not spare these officials."

Congress leaders have indicated they will approach both the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court seeking proper interpretation of the Zero FIR provision and action against officials for alleged misapplication of the law.