Lalit Jha, Key Accused In Parliament Security Breach, Arrested: Here's What Has Happened So Far

The suspected mastermind of the Parliament security breach, Lalit Jha, has turned himself in.

Reports indicate that he voluntarily surrendered at the police station on Kartavya Path, also known as 'Path of Duty', located in central Delhi. Following his formal arrest, the New Delhi District Police transferred his custody to the Special Cell.

The Kolkata-based teacher was arrested from Delhi after being on the run for nearly two days.

Jha reportedly claimed that he had traveled to Nagaur in Rajasthan by bus, making a stop in Neemrana, which was his last known location.

He reportedly stayed at a hotel with two friends. Upon realizing that the authorities were searching for him, he decided to return. During his visit to the police station today, he was joined by a person named Mahesh.

The Parliament security breach incident on Wednesday led to the arrest of four people.

Two men, Sagar and Manoranjan, were apprehended for smuggling smoke bombs into the Lok Sabha proceedings and setting them off.

Simultaneously, Neelam Devi and Amol Shinde, who were unable to secure a pass, staged a protest outside the parliament building. They were caught while shouting slogans and brandishing smoke canisters.

Investigators revealed that Lalit Jha, unable to obtain a visitors' pass, captured the incident on his mobile phone and posted it on social media. He also shared a copy with an associate in Kolkata who operates a non-profit organization.

The "smoke protest" was reportedly done to shed light on the escalating unemployment, the difficulties faced by farmers, and the circumstances in Manipur. The group, who were members of a Facebook page named "Fans of Bhagat Singh", believed that this dramatic gesture would prompt parliamentary discussion on these issues.

In the court, the Delhi Police requested two weeks' custody of the four arrested persons, stating that the case requires more investigation. The suspects have been indicted under the UAPA anti-terrorism law and various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The police argued that the entire operation bore a striking resemblance to a terror attack, casting doubts about the underlying motive.

"Was the purpose of the incident only to express one's point or to carry out some major incident? It has to be investigated whether any terrorist organisation is involved in this entire issue," they told the court.

The court has sent the accused to a week's police custody.