After being on the run for 2 days, mastermind of Parliament security breach surrenders in Delhi

The alleged mastermind of the security breach in parliament that shocked the nation, Lalit Jha, has surrendered to the Delhi Police.

According to people aware of the development, he went to the police station on Kartavya Path and surrendered. He has been formally arrested and the New Delhi District Police has handed him over to the Special Cell.

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

The man claimed that he had gone by bus to Rajasthan’s Nagaur via Neemrana — where he was seen last — and stayed at a hotel with two friends. Later, when he realised that the police were looking for him, he came back. At the police station today, he was accompanied by one Mahesh.

Four people were arrested for Wednesday afternoon’s security breach in which two men — Sagar and Manoranjan — smuggled in smoke bombs and let them off during the Lok Sabha proceedings.

Two others, Neelam Devi and Amol Shinde, who were unable to get passes, held a protest outside the parliament building, shouting slogans and waving smoke canisters, before they were caught.

Lalit Jha, who also did not get a visitors’ pass, recorded the entire thing on his mobile phone and uploaded it on social media. He also passed on a copy to a Kolkata-based associate who runs a non-profit organisation, investigators said.

The motive of the unprecedented “protest”, investigators said, was to highlight the growing unemployment, plight of farmers, and the situation in Manipur. The group wanted a discussion on these matters in Parliament and thought it would be a flashy way to draw attention. The group were part of a Facebook page called “Fans of Bhagat Singh”.

Investigators also said off the record that there appeared to be no organised terror group behind the plot.

In court, though, the Delhi Police earlier said the matter needs further investigation while seeking two weeks’ custody of the four people arrested. The accused have been charged under the anti-terror law UAPA and sections of the Indian Penal Code.