India Parliament security breach: Five suspects arrested, MHA orders top-level probe

As many as six people are said to have been involved in the Indian Parliament security breach on Wednesday (Dec 13), multiple reports have claimed. The two men who caused the commotion inside the well of the lower house (Lok Sabha), two outside the parliament near Transport Bhavan and two others, one of whom is on the run but supposedly gave shelter to the four and hatched the plan.

Sagar Sharma, son of Shankarlal Sharma, and Manoranjan D., a resident of Mysore, Karnataka have been identified as the main perpetrators who scaled the public gallery fence and jumped amongst the lawmakers before unleashing the yellow smoke canisters.

Sharma was the first to jump before 35-year-old Manoranjan joined him and caused chaos. According to initial police version and witnesses, they had hidden the canisters in their shoes.

The duo was heard chanting slogans stating, ‘tanashahi nahi chalegi’ (dictatorship won’t be accepted). Notably,Manoranjan is an engineering graduate having pursued his bachelor's in computer science fromVivekanand University in Bengaluru.

They both were issued the visitor pass in the name of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker from southern India's Mysuru constituency Pratap Simha.

Gurugram house

Apart from the parliament, two protesters, a man and a woman were also detained by the police in front of Transport Bhawan where they were protesting using coloured smoke.

According to Delhi Police, the woman has been identified as Neelam, hailing from Hisar, Haryana while the man is one Amol Shinde, a resident of the Latur district in the western state of Maharashtra.

Neelam was staying at a PG in Hisar and preparing for the Haryana civil services exam. Some unsubstantiated reports have claimed that she was also involved in the farmer's protest.

They all arrived in the capital city after staying together in Gurugram at the residence of a person identified as Lalit Jha, who is absconding. The sixth person remains unidentified and is also on the run.

MHA orders probe

The Union home ministry on Wednesday took to its official X handle and informed of a probe being ordered into the security breach.

It will be headed by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) director general Anish Dayal Singh.

“On request from Lok Sabha Secretariat, MHA has ordered an Enquiry of parliament security breach incident. An Enquiry Committee has been set up under Shri Anish Dayal Singh, DG, CRPF, with members from other security agencies and experts,” the MHA posted on X.

“Enquiry Committee will investigate into the reasons for breach in security of Parliament, identify lapses and recommend further action. The Committee will submit its report with recommendations, including suggestions on improving security in Parliament, at the earliest,” the home ministry added.

Five out of the six suspects have been arrested whereas one is on the run.

The ones being arrested are being interrogated by Delhi Police's anti-terror cell.

The incident transpired on the same day as the 2001 parliament attack when terrorists lay a siege on the all-important building, killing 14people and injuring 16 others.

The security around the parliament complex had been heightened as the session started last week. Moreover, threats from Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu of attacking the parliament had already put security forces on high alert. Yet the group managed to infiltrate one of the safest institutions in the country.

(With inputs from agencies)