The Delhi Police’s Special Cell marked a significant milestone in its investigation into the 13 December 2023, Parliament security breach case by filing its inaugural charge sheet before a court in Delhi.
Presenting at the Patiala House Courts, the charge sheet, exceeding 1000 pages, initiated a crucial legal process to address the incident that shook the nation.
This development comes after the court, on May 24, granted the police an extension of 13 days to conclude their investigation.
Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur, overseeing the proceedings, approved the extension in response to the police’s plea citing the need for awaited reports and the voluminous nature of digital data involved in the probe.
The charge sheet implicates all six accused individuals, namely Neelam Azad, Manoranjan D., Sagar Sharma, Lalit Jha, Amol Shinde, and Mahesh Kumawat, who are presently in judicial custody.
Among the accused, Manoranjan D. and Sharma allegedly ignited yellow smoke canisters within the Lok Sabha chamber on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack.
Members of parliament present in the House thwarted their actions, involving leaping from the visitors’ gallery.
Similarly, Azad and Shinde allegedly deployed smoke canisters and raised slogans outside Parliament.
Jha, purportedly the mastermind behind the plot, allegedly absconded with the mobile phones of the other four accused individuals.
Kumawat’s involvement is also under scrutiny.
Key Legal Maneuvers Shape Prosecution Pathway
Recent developments saw Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena granting prosecution sanctions against the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Following a request from Delhi Police to prosecute the accused under sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA, the Lt. Governor deemed the evidence sufficient for prosecution and made the decision.
The Parliament Street Police Station originally registered the case on 14 December 2023, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the UAPA, based on a complaint filed by the Lok Sabha’s security officer.
Subsequently, the investigation was transferred from the Parliament Street Police Station to the Counter Intelligence Unit of the Special Cell for further scrutiny.
As legal proceedings unfold, the filing of the charge sheet represents a pivotal step toward seeking justice for the breach of security at one of the country’s most esteemed institutions.
The case continues to garner public attention as authorities work towards unraveling the full extent of the incident and holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions.
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