The Patiala House Court of Delhi has granted a 45-day extension to the Special Cell of Delhi Police to complete the investigation into the Parliament Security Breach case, registered under stringent sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
This decision, announced by Additional Sessions Judge Dr. Hardeep Kaur, follows the Delhi Police's request for a 90-day extension to conclude the investigation. The court deemed the case sensitive and noted that certain reports are still awaited, with voluminous digital data to analyze.
Special public prosecutor Akhand Pratap Singh represented the Delhi Police in the matter, stressing the need for additional time due to the complexities of the case. The court directed the police to finalize the probe by April 25, 2024, setting a deadline to expedite the investigative process.
In addition to granting the extension, the court also extended the judicial custody of all accused by 30 days. This decision ensures that the accused individuals remain in custody as the investigation progresses. All the accused were physically produced before the court on Monday for the hearing.
Earlier, the court dismissed the bail plea of one of the accused, Neelam Azad, citing the nature and seriousness of the allegations leveled against her. The FIR in the case has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and UAPA, indicating a nascent stage of investigation.
The court noted the gravity of the charges and the preliminary stage of the investigation, deeming it unfit to grant bail to the accused.
During arguments on January 16, Delhi Police highlighted the material evidence that implicates Azad in the offense, making her ineligible for bail. The accused individuals are considered powerful and influential, posing a potential threat to the integrity of the investigation if released on bail.
The nature of the offense, coupled with the severity of the punishment, were crucial factors in the court's decision to deny bail to the accused.
The case revolves around a security breach at Parliament on the anniversary of the Parliament attack case on December 13, 2023. Presently, all six individuals involved in the incident are in judicial custody, awaiting the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
Follow us
