The Special Cell of the Delhi Police has apprehended two additional individuals in connection with the breach of Parliament security on Wednesday, which involved intruders jumping into Lok Sabha from the visitors’ gallery and emitting smoke, raising significant security concerns. This event occurring on the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament raised questions regarding security measures.
Identified by their first names, Mahesh and Kailash, the detainees were taken into custody subsequent to Lalit Jha, 35, from Kolkata, who surrendered to the police late on Thursday. Jha, described as a co-conspirator and the fifth accused, led to the detention of Mahesh and Kailash.
According to a police official, Mahesh was in the company of Jha and both were handed over to the Special Cell for investigation. While Jha was arrested, Mahesh was detained for questioning. Kailash’s involvement emerged during interrogation, leading to his detention as well.
Jha reportedly traveled to Rajasthan by bus, where he allegedly disposed of mobile phones before returning to Delhi. He claimed to have stayed with Mahesh in Rajasthan, an aspect under verification by the police. Both Jha and Mahesh were part of the Bhagat Singh Fan Club, a social media group linked to the accused.
Preliminary investigations revealed Mahesh’s aspiration to join the “protest” in Parliament, which he couldn’t fulfill. The authenticity of the information provided to the police is being thoroughly verified, as stated by the officer.
Reports suggest a well-planned conspiracy dating back nearly a year, involving one of the intruders who had customized shoes in Lucknow, with cavities in the soles to conceal smoke canisters carried to Parliament.
Earlier arrests in the case include Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, who breached security layers in Lok Sabha, and Amol Shinde and Neelam Singh, involved in slogans outside Parliament. They were remanded to police custody for seven days on Thursday.
Of particular interest to the police is Manoranjan, an engineering graduate from Mysuru, who used his connections to obtain visitor passes from local parliamentarian Pratap Simha. He hosted the three male accused in Mysuru to discuss social issues and connected with Singh a year ago. Manoranjan’s motive, as per police statements, was to draw the Prime Minister’s attention to matters like inflation and poverty.
Reportedly, the planned breach on the 2001 Parliament attack anniversary was initially set for December 14 but was expedited when Manoranjan received the passes early.
Investigators highlighted the diverse backgrounds of those involved, including an e-rickshaw driver in Lucknow, children of wage laborers in Latur, a government job aspirant in Jind, an engineering graduate in Mysuru, and a tutor from Kolkata, woven into this improbable conspiracy.
