In security breach at the Indian Parliament, a Delhi Court on Thursday (17 January) has denied bail to Neelam Azad, one of the accused in the incident. Azad, along with three other individuals – Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, and Amol Shinde – was arrested following a protest outside the Parliament building on December 13, 2024.
The incident, which marked a major security lapse on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, involved two of the accused, Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, entering the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery. They were seen holding canisters emitting smoke and shouting slogans, causing a significant disturbance during the Zero Hour session. The duo was eventually overpowered by some Members of Parliament (MPs). Meanwhile, Azad and Amol Shinde were involved in a similar protest outside the Parliament, where they reportedly sprayed colored gas from canisters while shouting “tanashahi nahi chalegi” (dictatorship will not be tolerated).
Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur of Patiala House Courts presided over the case and dismissed Azad’s bail plea. Azad, along with the co-accused, is presently in judicial custody. The case was registered by the Delhi Police under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The Delhi Police, while opposing Azad’s bail, argued that there was substantial evidence indicating her involvement in the offense. They contended that releasing her at this stage would be detrimental to the ongoing investigation. The police further stated that the accused are influential individuals, and the nature and gravity of the offense make them ineligible for bail at this juncture.
In an earlier development, the court had directed the Delhi Police to provide a copy of the FIR to Azad. However, this order was subsequently stayed by the Delhi High Court after the Delhi Police challenged it. The petition related to this matter is still pending before the court.
This case has drawn significant attention due to the serious nature of the security breach at a crucial government institution like the Parliament. The denial of bail to Neelam Azad underscores the judiciary’s strict stance on matters involving national security and the sanctity of key democratic institutions.
