On Thursday evening, Lalit Jha, a central figure implicated in the Parliament security breach incident, turned himself in at the Kartavya Path Police station in Delhi.
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Yesterday, Lalit Jha, the accused mastermind of the Parliament smoke episode, turned himself in to the Delhi Police. This surrender came a day after the arrest of five individuals in connection with the significant security breach that startled the whole nation.
During Zero Hour on Wednesday afternoon, a significant security breach occurred as Sagar Sharma (26) and Manoranjan D (34) leaped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery. Colored smoke emanated from canisters as they chanted slogans, ultimately being restrained by certain MPs. Simultaneously, outside Parliament premises, Amol Shinde (25) and Neelam Devi (37) sprayed colored smoke from canisters while chanting “tanashahi nahi chalegi.”
Who is Lalit Mohan Jha?
Lalit Mohan Jha is said to reside in Kolkata and works as a teacher. He is the primary suspect in the security breach at Parliament on Wednesday that is coincidentally linked to the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack.
The Delhi Police stated that Lalit Jha left the scene after recording a video of the incident. He arrived in Nagaur, Rajasthan, via bus, where he met two friends and stayed overnight at a hotel.
Subsequently, he became aware of a police search, prompting his decision to return to Delhi by bus, as reported by the Delhi Police during their initial investigation. Following an extensive manhunt, Jha was apprehended by the Delhi Police on Thursday.
According to the police, Jha voluntarily presented himself at the police station, leading to his arrest and subsequent interrogation.
Neelaksh Aish, the founder of an NGO, has been approached by the Delhi Police Special Cell for additional information regarding Jha, who is reportedly associated with an NGO based in Kolkata, according to news agency PTI.
Jha was inspired by legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, the police said.
Following the security breach, Jha captured a video of Neelam and Amol chanting slogans and releasing yellow smoke from canisters outside the Parliament building, which was then sent to Aish, as reported by the police.
Multiple squads from the Delhi Police Special Cell were working to apprehend Jha, suspecting his involvement as a key conspirator. Simultaneously, a Delhi Police team was present in Kolkata.
On Wednesday, Jha and four others, Sagar, Manoranjan, Neelam, and Amol, arrived at Parliament with only two passes. Faced with this situation, Jha opted to carry the mobile phones of all four individuals with him.
The other four accused : Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Amol Dhanraj Shinde, Neelam Devi are in Police custody
On Thursday, Delhi’s Patiala House Court approved a seven-day custodial remand for the remaining four individuals arrested in relation to the Parliament security breach case. The police had requested a 15-day custodial interrogation for them.
Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Amol Shinde, and Neelam Devi face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) along with sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Offenses under the UAPA are non-bailable.
The Court Hearing for the Security Breach
During the argument proceedings, the Delhi Police accused the four individuals of engaging in an act of terrorism, asserting that they attempted to instill fear through a well-planned attack on Parliament.
The police introduced Sections 16 and 18 of UAPA, pertaining to terrorism and conspiracy for terrorism, respectively. Emphasizing the necessity for custodial interrogation, the prosecution stated it aimed to uncover the motive behind the incident and ascertain potential involvement of other individuals.
The police also highlighted the need to investigate specially crafted shoes in Lucknow, proposing trips to Mumbai, Mysore, and Lucknow for further probing.
The lawyers for the police stated that the accused possessed a pamphlet, proclaiming Prime Minister Modi as missing, and declared a reward from Swiss Bank for anyone finding him. The accused individuals presented the PM as a proclaimed offender.
