Reshu Gupta burn case: Street vendors body appeals to CM Yogi for justice
Synopsis
A momo vendor from UP allegedly scalded by boiling water during a VIP convoy clearance in Jaipur on 19 June is now at the centre of a cross-state justice campaign. With a street vendors' body knocking on CM Yogi's door and the victim herself rejecting the Rajasthan government's response as inadequate, the case has become a flashpoint over how India's VIP security culture treats its most vulnerable workers.
Key Takeaways
Reshu Gupta , a momo vendor from Ambedkar Nagar, UP , allegedly suffered severe burn injuries to her chest, arms, abdomen, and thighs in Jaipur's Jagatpura area on 19 June .
The incident allegedly occurred during a police clearance operation ahead of a convoy carrying Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma .
An FIR was lodged at Ramnagaria Police Station on 22 June ; the accused constable has been transferred to police lines.
A national street vendors' organisation has appealed to UP CM Yogi Adityanath , the NCW , and the UP State Commission for Women for justice and rehabilitation.
The Rajasthan government has announced full medical coverage, financial aid, and a dairy booth allotment — but Reshu has publicly rejected the response as insufficient.
Shyam Kishore Gupta , National President of the vendors' body, has pledged to seek a vending space for Reshu in a Pink Vending Zone in UP if government action is delayed.
The case of Reshu Gupta, a young momo vendor from Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, who allegedly sustained severe burn injuries when a police constable's actions caused boiling water to spill on her during a VIP convoy clearance in Jaipur's Jagatpura area on 19 June, has now drawn the attention of authorities in Uttar Pradesh. A national street vendors' organisation has formally appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the National Commission for Women (NCW), and the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Women, seeking justice, rehabilitation, and long-term support for the victim.
Background: How the Incident Unfolded
Reshu Gupta had relocated to Jaipur with her sister, Khushbu Gupta, following the death of their father, Lal Bahadur Gupta, in 2020, to sustain the family through street vending. On 19 June, she was operating her roadside momo stall on Mahal Road when police personnel began clearing vendors ahead of a convoy carrying Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.
According to Reshu, she requested two minutes to handle her boiling steamer when directed to vacate. It is alleged that a police constable either pushed the stall or struck it with a baton, causing the boiling water to spill onto her. She suffered severe burn injuries to her chest, arms, abdomen, and thighs. Khushbu, with the help of local residents, rushed her to a nearby hospital. An FIR was lodged at Ramnagaria Police Station on 22 June.
How the Case Went Viral
The incident gained widespread public attention on 24 and 25 June, after a video of the incident and Reshu's statement circulated widely on social media, triggering criticism of VIP security protocols and the treatment of roadside vendors during convoy movements. This is not an isolated concern — the handling of street vendors during high-security events has drawn scrutiny across multiple Indian states in recent years.
What the Vendors' Organisation Has Demanded
Shyam Kishore Gupta, National President of the street vendors' organisation, said the tragedy has left the family's sole breadwinner incapacitated and warned of a lasting impact on her future. The organisation has urged the Uttar Pradesh government to allot Reshu a vending space in a developed vending zone in a major city of the state, enabling her to rebuild her livelihood with dignity. It has also called on the NCW and the UP State Commission for Women to take suo motu cognisance of the incident.
Shyam Kishore Gupta further stated that if government assistance is delayed, the organisation will independently seek a vending space for Reshu in one of the Pink Vending Zones operating across Uttar Pradesh. He added that a delegation will soon visit Jaipur to meet Reshu and Khushbu and extend legal, financial, and humanitarian support. The organisation also called on the UP government to establish more planned vending zones statewide so that street vendors and unemployed youth are not compelled to migrate to other states for work.
Rajasthan Government's Response and Victim's Dissatisfaction
The Rajasthan government has announced it will bear the full cost of Reshu Gupta's medical treatment, provide financial assistance, and allot a dairy booth for the family's rehabilitation. The accused police constable has been transferred to the police lines.
However, Reshu has expressed clear dissatisfaction with these measures. 'Merely transferring the constable to the police lines does not constitute justice for me. I want full justice. I am not satisfied with this announcement,' she said. Describing her condition, she added: 'Half of my body is burnt. I only want the government to understand my pain and ensure that I receive justice.' On the rehabilitation package, she said: 'I have no such demands from the government. What I want is justice and decisions that take my future into account.'
What Happens Next
The vendors' organisation has reiterated its demands for a fair investigation, appropriate legal action against those responsible, and meaningful rehabilitation. With the case now escalated to UP's highest political office and two women's commissions, pressure is mounting for a response that goes beyond administrative transfers and compensation announcements. The outcome could set a precedent for how authorities treat street vendors during VIP movements across India.
Point of View
With no established redress mechanism. The Rajasthan government's response — a dairy booth and a constable transfer — addresses optics, not accountability. That the victim herself has publicly rejected it as inadequate is significant. What is missing from the official response is any acknowledgment of systemic failure: no review of convoy clearance procedures, no independent inquiry, no timeline for FIR progress. The cross-state escalation to CM Yogi's office signals that the political cost of inaction is rising — but the test will be whether that pressure produces legal accountability or simply a better-packaged rehabilitation offer.
NationPress
29 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Reshu Gupta in Jaipur?
Reshu Gupta, a momo vendor from Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, allegedly suffered severe burn injuries on 19 June when boiling water from her steamer spilled onto her during a police clearance operation in Jaipur's Jagatpura area ahead of a VIP convoy. She sustained burns to her chest, arms, abdomen, and thighs.
What action has the Rajasthan government taken in the case?
The Rajasthan government has announced it will cover Reshu Gupta's full medical expenses, provide financial assistance, and allot a dairy booth for the family's rehabilitation. The accused police constable has been transferred to the police lines. However, Reshu has publicly stated she is not satisfied with these measures and is seeking full justice.
Why have street vendors approached CM Yogi Adityanath?
A national street vendors' organisation has appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath because Reshu Gupta is a resident of Ambedkar Nagar, UP. The organisation is seeking justice, rehabilitation, and a vending space for her in UP so she can rebuild her livelihood without having to migrate again.
What has the street vendors' organisation demanded from the NCW?
The organisation has urged the National Commission for Women and the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Women to take suo motu cognisance of the incident. It has also called for a fair investigation, legal action against those responsible, and meaningful rehabilitation for the victim.
What is a Pink Vending Zone and why is it relevant to this case?
Pink Vending Zones are designated, planned vending spaces operating in various cities across Uttar Pradesh, intended to provide street vendors with a secure and organised place to work. The vendors' organisation has said it will independently seek a space for Reshu Gupta in one of these zones if government assistance is delayed.
