The Delhi Police moved the Delhi High Court on Friday, challenging a trial court's directive to provide a copy of the FIR to one of the accused, Neelam Azad, in the December 13 Parliament security breach case.
Azad had sought permission to obtain a copy of the FIR, and despite police arguments about the sensitivity of the information, the trial court ordered the supply of the FIR and allowed Azad to consult with her counsel every alternate day for 15 minutes.
The division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna granted an urgent hearing on the matter.
Earlier, the trial court extended the police custody of four accused persons – Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Neelam Azad, and Amol Shinde – until January 5. The police had presented them before the court after their initial seven-day custody, highlighting the accused as "hardened criminals" who consistently altered their statements.
The FIR in question has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), with the police investigating the security lapse issue. The prosecution has labeled the arrested individuals as terrorists, accusing them of planning an attack on Parliament with the intent of causing fear.
Sections 16 (terrorism) and 18 (conspiracy for terrorism) of the UAPA have been included in the charges against the accused. The police argued for continued custody, emphasizing the need to determine the motive and identify any other individuals involved.
The police mentioned special shoes made in Lucknow, carried by the accused, which need to be investigated. The accused are alleged to have carried pamphlets declaring Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a missing person, offering a reward from the Swiss Bank for information leading to his location.
The case revolves around a significant security breach on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack. Individuals breached security, entered the Lok Sabha hall, released yellow gas, and shouted slogans before being subdued by MPs.
(With Agency Inputs)
