The Indian National Congress has announced it will approach the court seeking justice for NSUI leader Ritu Barala, after Rajasthan Police allegedly refused to register a Zero FIR in the assault case involving her — even as a Zero FIR was reportedly registered under the same law in Kerala. The announcement came on 21 October 2026 in Jaipur, following the conclusion of a three-day sit-in protest at the Jaipur Police Commissionerate.

Background: What the Ritu Barala Case Is About

Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra and Congress leader Tikaram Jully had been staging a sit-in at the Jaipur Police Commissionerate, demanding the registration of an FIR against police officers allegedly involved in assaulting student leader Ritu Barala earlier this month. The protest concluded after three days, with the party announcing it would now seek judicial intervention.

Dotasra said the Congress leaders had approached the police three days prior to file a complaint. The Station House Officer (SHO) had indicated that the Police Commissioner would decide on registering the complaint. When the Commissioner was contacted, they were asked to wait — prompting the prolonged sit-in.

The Zero FIR Dispute

At the heart of the controversy is the police's written response claiming that a Zero FIR could not be registered anywhere in the country on the basis of a complaint. Dotasra directly challenged this position, pointing to the registration of a Zero FIR in Kerala under the same legal provision. 'If a Zero FIR can be registered in Kerala, why not in Rajasthan?' he asked.

He alleged that the police were under pressure from Delhi and were deliberately misinterpreting the law. This is not merely a procedural dispute — it touches on the legal right of citizens to have complaints registered and acted upon without undue obstruction, critics argue.

What the Congress Plans Next

Congress said it would pursue legal action on multiple fronts — not only in connection with the alleged assault on Barala and the role of the Delhi Police, but also against Rajasthan Police officials who allegedly failed to take appropriate action. Jully accused these officials of 'acting as agents of the BJP and violating the law,' asserting that those responsible would be held accountable.

Dotasra said the court would determine why a provision applicable in Kerala was not being implemented in Rajasthan — raising the prospect of a judicial inquiry into the inconsistent application of the Zero FIR mechanism across states.

Incident During the Protest

During the sit-in, Dotasra slipped and fell on the stairs at the Commissionerate premises, injuring his leg. A team of doctors was called to examine him. Jully alleged the incident exposed both the police's heavy-handed approach and negligence regarding basic facilities at the premises, including the locking of washrooms during the protest.

Political Context

Jully also targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the ongoing panchayat elections, alleging that the ruling party was facing the prospect of defeat and had hoped to manipulate the polls — as it allegedly did during earlier municipal body elections. The Congress framing positions the Ritu Barala case not merely as a legal matter but as part of a broader pattern of alleged political interference in Rajasthan's law enforcement machinery.

The matter now moves from the street to the courtroom, with the Congress vowing sustained legal pressure until an FIR is registered and those responsible are held to account.