Alleged mastermind of Parliament security breach Lalit Jha arrested in Delhi

The Delhi Police arrested Lalit Mohan Jha, the alleged mastermind of the Parliament security breach, soon after he surrendered at the Kartavya Path Police station on Thursday evening. Jha was apprehended a day after five others were arrested by the Delhi Police.

As per reports, Jha has been missing since the Parliament scare. Jha had allegedly fled the scene of crime after chaos ensued outside Parliament, following the deployment of smoke bombs by Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde. Jha taped Azad and Shinde hurling smoke bombs, sent the video clip to an NGO founder, and asked him to keep it safe and ensure that the video clip gets maximum media attention.

The Delhi Police have stated that Lalit Mohan Jha traveled to Nagaur in Rajasthan via bus, where he met with two acquaintances and stayed overnight at a hotel. Police’s preliminary investigation says that Jha decided to return to Delhi by bus and surrender to the Delhi police after his pictures were circulated far and wide.

Lalit Mohan Jha drew inspiration from freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, said the police. Jha, identified as the alleged mastermind, held the position of general secretary in an NGO led by Nilaksha Aich, the founder. Jha had sent the videos of the security breach incident to Aich and asked him to keep it safe and ensure maximum media traction. Lalit Jha, is known to be a reserved individual, he was in Burrabazar, Kolkata, for a few years, maintained a discreet profile, and abruptly departed from the area two years ago.

On Wednesday, Sagar and Manoranjan, brought smoke bombs into parliament using a pass obtained from a BJP MP's office. Sagar leaped in from the visitors' gallery into the Lok Sabha, triggering the smoke canisters inside the chamber. Chaos ensued as MPs hurried and pinned him down. Simultaneously, Neelam Devi and Amol Shinde, unable to acquire a pass, staged a demonstration outside the parliament premises. They shouted slogans and brandished smoke canisters before being apprehended by the police. All four of the offenders have been apprehended by the Delhi police and have been charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. In addition, Vicky Sharma and his wife have also been arrested by the police for giving shelter to the miscreants in their house and providing them with logistical help.​