Delhi assembly security scare: Masked driver breaches gate, drops bouquet, caught in an hour

Singh entered the complex through Gate No. 2 around 2.10 pm, DCP North Raja Banthia said in a statement. Sources said he was wearing a mask, and smashed through the boom barrier at the gate. He drove the vehicle “in a dangerous manner with apparent intent to run over security personnel on duty”, the DCP said.

“[Singh]…alighted from the vehicle and proceeded towards the porch area carrying a bouquet and a garland of marigold flowers,” Banthia said. “Upon being challenged by security staff, the individual fled the spot in the same vehicle,” he said.

Sources said Singh left the bouquet of red carnations on a vehicle used by Speaker Gupta. A few police personnel tried to overpower him, but he managed to break free and drive out of the premises, the sources said. According to the sources, Singh had taken part in the protests by farmers in the NCR a few years ago. He had posted on the protests on Facebook and other social media platforms, but had subsequently deleted the content, the sources said.

A case has been registered at Civil Lines police station under sections including attempt to murder, criminal trespass with preparation to commit offence, and use of criminal force against a public servant, police said.

Teams of the local police and Special Cell were questioning Singh on Monday evening. They were scanning his social media accounts, and were also working to make an assessment of his mental health, the sources said.

Police officers said Sarabjit had driven to Delhi from Pilibhit in the SUV, apparently to search for a nephew who had been missing for a few days. Police in both Delhi and Pilibhit were aware of the alleged disappearance of this individual, sources said.

Forensic teams collected evidence from the Assembly complex, and investigators were going through footage from security cameras on the premises.

The Bomb Disposal Squad swept the area, but nothing was found in the complex or in the bouquet. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha and other senior officers visited the Assembly complex, where Golchha was briefed on the incident.

Gate No. 2 of the Vidhan Sabha complex is opened only for VIPs and during important events. Gate No. 1 and the service gate are used for regular access. Gate No. 2 was manned by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Speaker Gupta’s office has received bomb threat emails thrice in the past few months. The most recent threats came on March 24 and 25, but were later declared hoaxes. Earlier on February 23, the Assembly office, the Speaker’s office, the Delhi Secretariat, and two city schools had received bomb threat emails.