Delhi High Court Rejects Neelam Azad's Plea For Release From Police Remand In Parliament Security Breach Case

On 3 January, the Delhi High Court rejected a plea filed by Neelam Azad, an accused involved in the 13 December Parliament security breach case, seeking her release on the grounds of alleged illegality in her police remand, as reported by The Hindu.

The bench, led by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, deemed the petition not maintainable, citing that the petitioner had already submitted a bail application before the trial court.

Justice Manoj Jain, also on the bench, concurred with the decision, stating that the present petition was dismissed accordingly.

Neelam Azad's lawyer contended that her police custody violated constitutional provisions, asserting that she was denied the right to consult a legal practitioner of her choice during the trial court proceedings.

However, the high court, during the hearing, found no grounds to support the claim of a violation of her fundamental rights.

In her habeas corpus petition, Azad sought an order for her release, arguing that the denial of her preferred legal counsel amounted to a violation of her constitutional rights, rendering the remand order unlawful.

The trial court had previously extended her police custody, along with three other accused, until 5 January, based on the city police's assertion that they needed more time to uncover all involved in the conspiracy.

The incident in question occurred on 13 December 2023, when individuals breached security at Parliament on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack.

Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber, releasing gas and shouting slogans.

Simultaneously, Amol Shinde and Neelam Azad sprayed coloured gas outside the Parliament House premises, all of whom were arrested on the day of the incident.

Two others, Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat, were apprehended later. The police have been interrogating all the accused in custody.