Parliament security breach: After hours of interrogation, the four people arrested over the security breach in the Parliament have been charged under the anti-terror Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the Delhi Police informed.

While Manoranjan D and Sagar Sharma were arrested for breaking into the Lok Sabha and jumping from the visitors’ gallery and opening smoke cans, Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde were held for opening smoke canisters outside Parliament.

A senior police officer said they have registered an FIR against them at Parliament Street police station under Sections 153 (want only giving provocation with an intent to cause riot), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 452 (trespass), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servants from discharge of his duty) of the Indian Penal Code, and Sections 16 and 18 of UAPA.

“We have made their arrest and are conducting raids to nab their associate, Lalit Jha, who is absconding at the moment. The investigation has been handed over to the Counter Intelligence Unit of Special Cell,” the officer said, while adding that they will produce all the accused before the Patiala House Court later in the day to get their police custody for further investigation.

Police sources said that all the accused had arrived in the capital separately over the last few days, and it was Jha who allegedly took them to “the house of his friend, Vicky, in Gurgaon”.

#JUSTIN:Delhi Police have made the arrest of four persons; Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Neelam Singh and Amol Shinde. An FIR has been registered against them at Parliament Street police station under IPC Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 452 (trespass) …1/2. @IndianExpress

— Mahender Singh Manral (@mahendermanral) December 14, 2023

“The accused started planning the security breach in January, and Manoranjan even carried out a recce as he visited the Parliament complex during the Monsoon Session,” an officer informed.

“A few days ago, Manoranjan coordinated with the personal staff of Member of Parliament Pratap Simha, who is his local MP, and sought a visitor’s pass for December 14. The official staff called him on Tuesday, asking him to pick up his pass which was made for December 13 instead. On Wednesday morning, they left Vicky’s house in a radio taxi and reached Parliament. Manoranjan and Sharma went inside, while Jha, Azad and Shinde waited outside,” sources said.