Parliament security breach: Alleged mastermind Lalit Jha surrenders before Delhi Police

Parliament security breach: Lalit Jha, the alleged central figure in the concerning security breach at Parliament, has surrendering before the Delhi Police. Reports indicate that Lalit Jha voluntarily appeared at the police station located on Kartavya Path, previously known as the 'Path of Duty,' situated in central Delhi. His surrender marked a crucial moment that led to his formal arrest, after which he was handed over to the custody of the Special Cell by the New Delhi District Police.

This development came after Lalit Jha, identified as a teacher from Kolkata, had managed to evade the authorities for nearly 48 hours before finally being apprehended in Delhi.

According to reports, alleged mastermind of Parliament security breach Lalit Jha revealed that he travelled by a bus to Nagaur in Rajasthan through Neemrana, where he was last seen. During his stay, he stayed at a local hotel accompanied by two friends. Upon realising that the police are actively searching for him, he decided to surrender before the police. It is learnt another person, Mahesh, also surrendered.

The incident that led to Jha's arrest involved a security breach the previous afternoon when Sagar and Manoranjan infiltrated the premises, carrying and deploying smoke bombs during the Lok Sabha proceedings. Simultaneously, Neelam Devi and Amol Shinde, unable to secure entry, staged a protest outside the Parliament premises, brandishing smoke canisters and vocalizing slogans before being apprehended.

Jha, who also lacked a visitor's pass, recorded the event on his mobile device and subsequently uploaded it on social media. Additionally, he shared a copy with an associate in Kolkata managing a non-profit organisation, as indicated by investigators.

Investigations revealed that the motive behind the unprecedented "smoke protest" aimed to draw attention to escalating issues such as unemployment, the plight of farmers, and the situation in Manipur. The group, identified as members of a Facebook page named "Fans of Bhagat Singh," envisioned this flashy demonstration as a means to provoke discussion on these pressing matters within the parliament.

However, investigators, speaking off the record, indicated the absence of an organized terror group associated with the plot.

During the court proceedings, the Delhi Police asserted the necessity for further investigation, seeking a two-week custody of the four individuals arrested. They have been charged under the anti-terror law UAPA and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The police posited that the entire operation resembled a potential terror attack and raised doubts regarding the underlying motives. They questioned whether the incident solely aimed at expressing dissent or harbored intentions of executing a more significant event. Their inquiry urged the court to scrutinise if any terrorist organization played a role in the sequence of events.

The court has granted a week's extension for the investigation to unfold.