A year after a dramatic security breach in Parliament on the anniversary of the 2001 attack, Delhi Police claim to have built an airtight case against six accused, who are currently lodged in Tihar jail.
The accused were charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code for allegedly orchestrating a coordinated gas attack in and around Parliament during Zero Hour on December 13, 2023.
The trial is yet to commence, as the investigation by the Special Cell continues.
Officials, however, remain confident about the strength of their case, bolstered by forensic evidence and a detailed chargesheet submitted earlier this year.
A calculated attack
The attack was allegedly led by Manoranjan D, a Karnataka resident. According to the chargesheet, Manoranjan, along with Sagar Sharma, jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery and released yellow gas from canisters. Simultaneously, Amol Shinde and Neelam Azad sprayed coloured gases outside the Parliament premises, shouting slogans like "tanashahi nahi chalegi (dictatorship will not be allowed)."
The accused were arrested within days of the incident—four were detained on the day of the breach, while two others, Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat, were apprehended on December 15 and 16, respectively.
The chargesheet states that the perpetrators sought to "discredit India’s democracy, gain instant global fame, usurp power, and achieve richness and glory."
Officials added that the accused had no links to any organisation, and their actions were allegedly driven by personal ideologies.
Meticulous planning
The plot was reportedly in the making for nearly two years. The accused first connected via social media and held their initial in-person meeting in Mysuru in February 2022.
Manoranjan, described as "ultra Maoist-inspired," is said to have conceived the plan to attack Parliament, viewing it as a potent symbol of democracy to attract immediate and widespread attention.
Delhi Police sources emphasised the gravity of the act, stating that the accused aimed to undermine the "effectiveness of Indian democracy and call for its replacement."
Legal proceedings
Delhi Police have submitted one main and two supplementary chargesheets in the case, relying on forensic evidence to substantiate the charges. However, the investigation continues as reports from the Forensic Sciences Laboratory are awaited.
An official source remarked, "The forensic evidence submitted against the accused is sufficient to prove them guilty, but the probe is underway to gather additional details."
As Parliament's winter session proceeds, security measures have been intensified. In collaboration with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Delhi Police have installed additional barricades around the complex, ensuring heightened vigilance to avert any potential threats.
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