Day after the Delhi Assembly's security was breached by a man in an SUV, arrangements at the complex were reviewed on Tuesday, with instructions to raise the number of security personnel and establish a unified command structure and multi-layer security grid.
The security arrangements of the Assembly were reviewed in a high level meeting chaired by Speaker Vijender Gupta.To fortify the premises, extra security personnel will guard the gates, and directions have been issued to deploy mobile patrol vehicles and install hydraulic road blockers.
On Monday afternoon, the Assembly complex was on high alert after a masked man drove his SUV through a gate at high speed, placed a bouquet and garland in Gupta's vehicle before fleeing despite attempts by security personnel to stop him.The accused, identified as Sarabjeet Singh of Pilibhit in UP, was arrested two hours after the incident. Tis Hazari Court on Tuesday granted the Delhi Police eight days' custody of Sarabjeet, the accused in the case. The police had sought ten days' custody
In a statement, Gupta said not even the slightest lapse in the security of the Assembly can be permitted. No vehicle should be permitted entry in the assembly premises under any circumstance, without proper security clearance, Gupta said.Immediate measures directed by the Speaker included installation of hydraulic road blockers at all gates, reinforcement of access control points, and creation of a more responsive on ground security mechanism within the premises, the statement said.
Senior Delhi Police officers, a joint director of Intelligence Bureau (IB), additional chief secretary of PWD Navin Kumar Chaudhary, Assembly officers and some MLAs were present in the meeting.Taking serious note of the "breach" within the Assembly premises, Gupta observed that the incident, the entire incident unfolded within 5-7 minutes -- calls for a decisive strengthening of systems.
The sequence of events was reviewed in detail, including available footage which is under technical examination.Gupta stressed on a clearly defined and unified command structure involving Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Delhi Police, with a single point of authority to ensure coordinated and immediate response in critical situations.
Meanwhile, Sarabjeet was produced before the court after being arrested from the Roop Nagar area. Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Kartik Tapariya allowed the Delhi Police to take Sarabjeet Singh into custody for interrogation.The defence counsel argued that Sarabjeet "is not mentally stable and entered the Delhi Assembly premises believing it was a Gurudwara."
He had allegedly been living in a Gurudwara in Chandigarh prior to coming to Delhi. While the defence stated that he is on medication, they failed to provide complete medical records of the accused.The court directed Sarabjeet's counsel to furnish proper medical documentation to the Delhi Police and instructed the police to ensure that he receives medical care in accordance with these records.