The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the response of Delhi Police on the bail plea of accused Lalit Jha in the December 2023 Parliament security breach case.
A bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain issued notice to the police and posted the matter for further hearing on October 8. Jha has challenged a trial court’s April 28 order which had rejected his bail application.
In his plea, Jha claimed that he had voluntarily surrendered on December 15, 2023, and has since spent nearly 1.8 years in custody. He argued that the case is presently at the stage of arguments on charge and compliance with Section 207 of the CrPC.
He highlighted that the chargesheet lists 133 witnesses, but notably, no Member of Parliament has been included. Jha also pointed out that no harm, injury, or property damage was caused to MPs during the incident. He alleged that the trial court failed to consider the “true facts and circumstances” while dismissing his earlier bail plea.
The December 2023 Breach
The case stems from a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack. During Zero Hour on December 13, 2023, accused Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D allegedly jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery, released yellow gas from canisters, and raised slogans before being overpowered by MPs.
At the same time, co-accused Amol Shinde and Neelam Azad allegedly sprayed coloured gas outside Parliament while shouting slogans of “tanashahi nahi chalegi” (dictatorship won’t work).
While four accused were arrested on the spot, Jha and another accused, Mahesh Kumawat, were apprehended later.
Prosecution’s Stand
The prosecution has opposed Jha’s bail, describing him as a conspirator in the incident. It alleged that Jha subscribed to and participated in the plan, motivated by a desire for “fame, wealth, and recognition.” According to investigators, Jha recorded a video outside Parliament’s gates 2 and 3 for dissemination to national and international media.
The trial court had earlier observed that all accused were aware of a threat issued by designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu targeting Parliament on the same day.
Co-Accused Granted Bail
In July, the Delhi High Court granted bail to co-accused Neelam Azad and Mahesh Kumawat, while others including Sharma, Manoranjan D, and Shinde remain in custody.
