Hours after Parliament security breach, MHA sets up panel to probe lapses

In a major security breach, two men jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery, raised slogans and opened canisters that emitted yellow smoke, triggering panic.

Security officers stand guard at a checkpoint outside the Parliament in New Delhi. (AP)

The Ministry of Home Affairs Wednesday constituted an enquiry panel headed by DG CRPF Anish Dayal Singh to investigate the security breach in Parliament, when two men jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery, raised slogans and opened canisters that emitted yellow smoke, triggering panic.

According to a statement by the ministry, the committee will probe the reasons behind the security breach, identify lapses and submit its report with recommendations, including suggestions on improving security at the Parliament, at the earliest.

The enquiry panel was set up on the request of Lok Sabha Secretariat, and will also comprise members from other security agencies and experts.

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. (2/2)

— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) December 13, 2023

A total of five persons have been detained in connection with the security breach incident.

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The two men held in Lok Sabha, identified as as Sagar Sharma (25) from Lucknow and Manoranjan D (35) from Mysore, were seated in the visitors’ gallery – they were said to have gained access to the gallery on visitor passes facilitated by Pratap Simha, BJP MP from Mysuru – and took out canisters from their shoes. Television footage showed them jumping from desk to desk, and they appeared to be headed towards the Well of the House.

The duo was taken into custody by the Parliament security staff after they were caught by MPs who roughed up one of the intruders.

Two others, Neelam Singh (42) from Hisar in Haryana and Amol Shinde (25) from Latur in Maharashtra, were arrested from a spot near Parliament House where they too opened smoke canisters soon after the incident in Lok Sabha.

The fifth person to be detained has been identified as one Vicky, while another accused, identified as Lalit Jha, is still absconding.

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Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident, and lauded the House members, security personnel, chamber staff, and marshals for rising to the occasion and capturing the perpetrators.

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