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Parliament breach: Lalit Jha, ‘mastermind’ behind the act, sent to 7-day custody

Police had sought 15-day custody for Jha

Lalit Jha (C), key accused in the recent Parliament security breach, being produced at the Patiala House Court, in New Delhi | PTI

Lalit Jha, the alleged mastermind behind the Parliament breach has been sent to 7-day police custody on Friday. The Delhi police produced Jha before the court and sought a 15-day custody based on the severity of the incident.

Police told the court Jha was the mastermind of the Parliament security breach incident. Special Judge Hardeep Kaur remanded Jha after the public prosecutor said he was required to be questioned to unearth the entire conspiracy as he was the "mastermind of the incident".

Though the police had arrested four people in connection with the incident on Wednesday, Jha, who was on the run was arrested on Thursday. Reportedly, he had surrendered before the police. 

Jha, who worked as a teacher in Kolkata, is believed to be a quiet man. His neighbours and family members are still in shock over the recent developments. 

Shambhu Jha, the elder brother of Lalit Mohan Jha, while talking to the reporters said that he always stayed away from trouble. "He was calm and quiet kid since childhood and was very introvert. We knew he was involved with NGOs and, apart from being a private tutor, we are really shocked to see his images on television channels," said Shambhu.

Neighbours of Lalit, at Burrabazar in Kolkata, also said he was a "reserved man".

The other four arrested by the police are already in police custody. The arrested--Sagar Sharma (26), Manoranjan D. (34), Amol Shinde (25) and Neelam Devi (37)--were slapped with charges including Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act besides charges of criminal conspiracy, trespass, wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot, obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions and assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duties under provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

Another accused--Vicky Sharma--is in detention. Reportedly, it was Sharma's Gurugram residence that all the four arrested had gathered on Sunday (December 10) on Jha's instruction.

Jha along with the other accused professes to be followers of the ideals of revolutionary Shaheed Bhagat Singh, who on April 8, 1929, along with Batukeshwar Dutt, had thrown smoke bombs in Parliament.

On Wednesday, at around 1 pm, during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Sagar Sharma and Manordanjan leaped down from the visitors' gallery into the floor of the House and exploded coloured smoke canisters, spreading shock and panic. Their parliamentary pass had been signed by BJP MP from Mysuru, Pratap Simha.

Outside the Parliament complex, Amol Shinde and Neelam, sprayed more coloured smoke.

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