2023 Parliament Breach: Six to Face UAPA Charges as Delhi LG Grants Prosecution Sanction

In a significant development, Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena has approved the prosecution of six individuals under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for their alleged involvement in a security breach incident at the Parliament. This decision comes in the wake of an alarming incident that took place on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, where two individuals caused a stir by jumping into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery and releasing a yellow-coloured smoke, leading to widespread panic among Members of Parliament on December 13 last year.

The individuals implicated in this grave incident have been identified as Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Amol Dhanraj Shinde, Neelam Ranolia, Lalit Jha, and Mahesh Kumawat. Following a thorough investigation by the Delhi Police, these six persons were arrested and are currently held in judicial custody. The Delhi Police had sought sanction for their prosecution under sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA from the Lt Governor, who found substantial material on record to grant the necessary approval.

Review and Prosecution Sanction

The Review Committee Directorate of Prosecution, Tis Hazari, Delhi, also played a crucial role in this process. On May 30 this year, after reviewing all evidence collected by the investigating agency, it concluded that there was prima facie involvement of the accused in the case under UAPA. This led to the formal sanction for prosecution by Raj Niwas officials.

The case initially registered at Parliament Street police station was based on a complaint by a security officer from the Lok Sabha. Subsequently, to ensure a focused and specialized investigation into this serious breach of security, the case was transferred to the Counter Intelligence Unit of the Special Cell, New Delhi. This unit undertook a detailed investigation leading to the arrest of the accused.

This incident and subsequent actions highlight the stringent measures being taken to uphold security protocols and ensure accountability for actions that threaten public safety and national security. The approval for prosecution under UAPA marks a critical step in addressing this breach of security at one of India's most critical institutions.