Pratap Simha: BJP MP At Center Of Parliament Breach, Allegedly Issued Passes To Intruders

In a significant security lapse at the Lok Sabha, two individuals wielding smoke canisters breached the chamber from the visitors’ gallery. BSP MP Danish Ali informed news agency that one of the passes recovered post-incident was issued by BJP MP Pratap Simha’s office, a claim corroborated by sources confirming both intruders received passes from Simha.

Amidst widespread shock, several Members of Parliament underscored the rigorous five-level security clearance required for visitors and emphasized the necessity of an MP’s office signature for gallery passes. This incident occurred two decades after the 2001 Parliament attack.

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Pratap Simha, representing Mysore in Karnataka, allegedly has a connection to one intruder, Manoranjan D, a 35-year-old engineering graduate linked to Mysore. Simha, a 42-year-old former journalist, secured 43.46% of votes in 2014, increasing to 52.27% in 2019. Well-known for columns, he authored a biography of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2007 and has expressed admiration for Modi.

Manoranjan D, a Bachelor of Engineering graduate from Mysore Vivekanand University, hails from Vijaynagar in Mysore, as per police reports. The breach unfolded at 1 pm, with Manoranjan and Sagar Sharma leaping into the Lok Sabha chamber. Footage revealed Sagar advancing toward the Speaker’s chair, while Manoranjan discharged yellowish smoke.

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The police indicate a constituency link between Simha and at least one intruder. Meanwhile, a man and woman, identified as Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi, were detained outside Parliament with colored smoke canisters, adding complexity to the unfolding situation.