In the aftermath of the shocking breach of security within the Lok Sabha, Delhi's Patiala House Court has remanded four accused individuals—Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Amol Shinde, and Neelam Devi—into the custody of the Delhi Police special cell for seven days. The accused, facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), were presented before Special Judge Hardeep Kaur, who assigned them to the police for further interrogation.
The prosecution asserted that the breach was a meticulously planned and well-coordinated act of terrorism designed to instill fear. It detailed the accused's unauthorized leap from the visitors' gallery into the Well, hiding smoke canisters in their shoes, a trespass that transgressed their rights limited to the gallery area.
As the accused appeared without legal representation, the court-appointed a defense counsel to advocate on their behalf. The defense counsel contested the police's request for a 15-day remand, suggesting that two or three days would suffice for custodial interrogation.
The charges lodged against the accused encompass severe violations including criminal conspiracy, trespass, provocation intending to cause a riot, obstructing public servants from their duties, and assaulting or using force against public servants.
The breach, reminiscent of the 2001 Parliament attacks, occurred on its 22nd anniversary when terrorists affiliated with Pakistan-based organizations Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad targeted the old parliament building. Amid this breach, the accused intruded into the chamber, releasing smoke and shouting slogans. Concurrently, two other individuals sprayed colored smoke outside the premises, expressing dissent with slogans like "tanashahi nahi chalegi" (dictatorship won't be tolerated).
While four of the accused were swiftly apprehended, efforts are underway to locate their alleged accomplice Vishal, and the purported mastermind, Lalit Jha. Interrogations revealed that the breach was a result of discontent over issues such as the farmers' protests, the Manipur crisis, and unemployment.
In light of this breach and the ensuing investigation, eight security personnel on deputation for Parliament security were suspended due to negligence during the incident.
The incident's intricate details, the arrest of the accused, and the ongoing pursuit of others involved painting a sobering picture of a planned breach that rattled the sanctity of India's parliamentary premises.
