A Delhi court has granted an extension until January 5 for the police custody of four accused individuals involved in the Parliament security breach case.
The accused—Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D., Neelam Azad, and Amol Shinde—appeared before Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hardeep Kaur at the Patiala House Courts. The court approved the extension of their custody based on a request filed by the police.
These four individuals had been initially arrested on December 13 and were presented before the court following the expiration of their previously sanctioned seven-day police custody.
Lalit Jha, identified as the alleged mastermind, was sent to seven-day police custody on December 15, while the sixth accused, Mahesh Kumawat, was also remanded to police custody the subsequent day.
The Delhi Police has registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the accused, investigating not only the breach of security but also the underlying motives.
The prosecution has labeled the arrested individuals as terrorists, alleging their involvement in a premeditated attack on Parliament with the aim of instilling fear.
Sections 16 (terrorism) and 18 (conspiracy for terrorism) of the UAPA Act have been included in the charges against the accused, as informed by the police.
The police highlighted that the accused trespassed by leaping from the gallery into the MPs' seating area and concealed a canister in their shoes. Their custody extension was argued necessary to unveil their true motives and identify potential accomplices.
The court, acknowledging the accused individuals' lack of legal representation, appointed legal aid counsel for them. The defense counsel opposed the police's application, suggesting a shorter investigation duration.
The police also mentioned the accused carrying pamphlets depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as missing and offering a reward from a Swiss Bank for locating him, portraying the PM as a fugitive.
This case centers around a significant security breach on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack. Individuals breached security, entered the Lok Sabha hall, released gas, and shouted slogans before being subdued by MPs.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated an inquiry, led by DG CRPF Anish Dayal Singh and involving members from security agencies and experts, to delve into the breach.
(With Agency Inputs)
