In a significant development following the recent Parliament security breach, the Delhi Police’s Special Cell has detained two more individuals for questioning. Identified as Mahesh and Kailash, they were taken into custody after Lalit Jha, a resident of Kolkata and the fifth accused, surrendered on Thursday.
The security breach occurred when two intruders jumped into the Lok Sabha from the visitors’ gallery, raising concerns about lapses in security. The incident, which took place on the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament, has prompted questions about the overall security measures in place.
According to police reports, Mahesh accompanied Lalit Jha, and both were handed over to the Special Cell for further investigation. Lalit Jha, who surrendered, is considered a co-conspirator in the case. Additionally, Kailash was detained after his involvement came to light during questioning.
Jha, who traveled to Rajasthan by bus, is suspected of destroying mobile phones before returning to Delhi. He claimed to have stayed with Mahesh in Rajasthan, a detail currently under verification by the police.
The connection between Jha and Mahesh was revealed through their association with the Bhagat Singh Fan Club, a social media group that the accused were part of. Preliminary questioning indicates that Mahesh also aspired to be part of the “protest” in Parliament but could not make it.
The security breach, reported as a well-planned conspiracy dating back nearly a year, involved intricate details. One of the intruders had shoes modified in Lucknow with cavities to carry canisters of yellow smoke into Parliament.
Four previously arrested individuals, Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Amol Shinde, and Neelam Singh, were remanded to police custody for seven days. The investigation is focusing on Manoranjan, an engineering graduate from Mysuru, who obtained visitor passes through his connections.
The breach, originally planned for December 14, was expedited after Manoranjan received the passes earlier. The accused, coming from diverse backgrounds, had visited Delhi earlier for protests but failed to secure entry passes.
As the investigation unfolds, questions surrounding the breach’s planning and execution continue to be addressed by the Delhi Police. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving situation.