parliament-security-breach-case-accused-allege-torture-claim-forced-confessions-to-oppn-association

Five out of the six accused informed a court on Wednesday that they were allegedly subjected to torture by the Delhi Police, coercing them to accept false associations with opposition parties. 

 

The submission was made before Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur, who subsequently extended the judicial custody of all six accused until March 1.

 

The accused, Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Lalit Jha, Amol Shinde, and Mahesh Kumawat, asserted before the court that they were forced to sign approximately 70 blank papers under duress. 

 

They claimed that torture, including electric shocks, was inflicted upon them to coerce confessions related to the alleged commission of crimes under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and their purported links with national political parties.

 

The court has sought a response from the police on this matter and has scheduled a hearing for the application on February 17. The sixth accused in the case is identified as Neelam Azad.

 

The incident under investigation involved a significant security breach during the commemoration of the 2001 Parliament terror attack anniversary. 

 

On December 13 of the previous year, Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D breached security protocols by jumping into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour. They released yellow gas and shouted slogans before being subdued by fellow MPs.

 

Simultaneously, two other accused, Amol Shinde and Neelam Azad, sprayed coloured gas while shouting anti-authoritarian slogans outside the Parliament premises. 

 

The four were apprehended at the scene, while Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat were arrested subsequently.

 

The accused's claims of torture and forced confessions introduce a new dimension to the ongoing legal proceedings, prompting the court to inquire into the matter further. 

 

As the judicial custody is extended, the case continues to unfold, revealing a complex web of allegations and counterclaims surrounding the security breach incident.