New Delhi

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Lalit Jha, the 'mastermind' in the parliament security breach case, has been sent to seven-day police custody of the Delhi Police Special Cell by the Patiala House Court on Friday (Dec 15). 

Besides, Delhi Police's Special Cell has also detained two more people in connection with the Indian Parliament security breach that happened on Dec 13. The two have been identified as Mahesh and Kailash and their detention comes after the authorities nabbed Lalit Jha, the fifth accused who is being described as the mastermind behind the plan. 

Initial reports suggest that both Mahesh and Kailash, residents of Rajasthan, had an association with Jha and contributed in some manner to execute the plan. They were associated after being part of a social media group called Bhagat Singh Fan Club. 

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Mahesh was also supposed to be part of the team that was in the parliament that day but backed out at the end due to his family members who persuaded him. More details are likely to emerge as the special cell continues its investigation.   

According to reports, Jha had called everyone for a meeting in Gurugram prior to the incident. He also took possession of the phones of all the accused so that the police could not trace any information immediately. 

The ploy to hit the parliament was a well-thought-out conspiracy which had been in the work for more than a year. One of the accused had got a cobbler in Lucknow to build a custom shoe with 2.5-inch deep cavities that allowed to conceal the smoke gas canisters. 

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Also watch | Parliament security breach: Lok Sabha Secretariat suspends 8 personnel for security lapse

Accused remanded to custody

On Thursday, Delhi's Patiala House Court sent the four accused nabbed on the day of the incident to seven days of police remand.

"We had requested for 15 days police custody remand which had been considered by the court and the court had been kind enough to grant seven days police custody remand," said Atul Shrivastava, a lawyer for Delhi Police. 

Also read | Indian Parliament security breach: Who are the intruders and how did they enter Lok Sabha?

Speaking about the breach, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi on Friday said: "Whatever directions the Speaker has given, the government is following them in letter and spirit. The matter is also in the court, high-level investigation is going on. They (the opposition) should behave responsibly."

The incident transpired on the same day as the 2001 parliament attack when terrorists laid a siege on the all-important building, killing 14 people 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)