The main conspirator in Parliament
security breach is someone else and it involved a well-planned intrusion by six
persons, as per the initial investigation, police sources said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police’s Special Cell has caught hold of the fifth suspect.
The six accused, who executed the plan exactly
on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack by LeT and JeM terrorists,
had been in contact for four years and meticulously planned the breach a few
days prior to the incident, they divulged during probe.
The 2001 attack had resulted in the
death of nine individuals, including eight security personnel.
Key Points
Police sources mentioned that all
accused were associated with a social media page Bhagat Singh Fan Club. They
had met in Mysuru about one and a half years ago and later decided on their
plan.
The group performed a detailed
reconnaissance, with one member even entering Parliament in March to survey the
premises. They took advantage of a security loophole where shoes were not
thoroughly checked.
On December 13, during Zero Hour, Sagar
Sharma and Manoranjan D leaped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public
gallery, releasing yellow gas from canisters and shouting slogans before being
subdued by MPs.
The two were put behind bars, and
moments later, a man and a woman, identified as Amol Shinde and Neelam, were
detained for protesting outside the Parliament building, carrying cans that
emitted a yellowish smoke.
Apart from the four who were detained,
two more people were involved in hatching the plan. Five of the accused,
including the two who entered the Lok Sabha, had put up in Gurugram at Lalit
Jha’s residence. While five have been identified and caught, the sixth remains
at large.
The Special Cell of Delhi Police, which
deals with anti-terror operations, is leading the probe. A case has been filed under
various Sections including trespass, criminal conspiracy, obstruction,
provocation with intent to cause riot, and the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention)
Act (UAPA).
Following the breach, Lok Sabha Speaker
Om Birla confirmed the capture of the intruders and seizure of materials.
Preliminary investigations indicated the smoke was non-hazardous.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has set up
an enquiry committee led by CRPF DG Anish Dayal Singh to probe the security
lapse and recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The visitor pass used by one of the
intruders was issued under BJP MP Pratap Simha’s name. Simha later explained
that he issued the pass after a request from the father of the accused.
Opposition leaders have called for
accountability, demanding the expulsion of MP Pratap Simha and holding him
responsible for the breach.
NE Watch Desk
