6 Parliament breach accused booked under stringent anti-terror law UAPA; eight security personnel suspended for lapses

TNR Desk
DHARAMSHALA: The Lok Sabha secretariat on Thursday (December 14, 2023) suspended eight personnel for the Parliament security breach on Wednesday even as the Delhi Police booked the six accused under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), used usually in terror-related incidents.
The breach involved two accused, Manoranjan D from Mysuru and Sagar Sharma from Lucknow, entering the Lok Sabha public gallery while concealing smoke canisters in their shoes, which they opened in the Lok Sabha. The office of BJP MP Prathap Simha from Mysore facilitated entry passes for the duo, raising questions about security lapses. The review highlighted concerns about how the individuals managed to bring canisters into the house, overstay beyond the permissible time and evade security personnel.
During the breach, the intruders were overpowered by MPs, emphasising the need for a thorough security assessment. Secretary General Utpal Kumar wrote to Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, prompting a review committee led by the CRPF DG to commence its investigation.
In a parallel incident outside Parliament premises, two other accused, Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi, sprayed coloured gas from canisters while shouting ‘Down with dictatorship’ slogans. The police confirmed that the four were part of a planned group action.
The case has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including criminal conspiracy, trespass, wantonly giving provocation, obstructing public servants, assault and criminal force, along with Sections 16 and 18 of the anti-terror law UAPA at the Parliament Street police station. The breach occurred on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, which had left nine persons dead.