Parliament Security Breach: Court Directs Delhi Police to Submit Response on Neelam Azad’s Bail Plea

Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Tuesday directed the Delhi Police to submit a response regarding the bail plea of Neelam Azad, an accused in the Parliament security breach case.

The hearing is scheduled for January 10, 2024.

Simultaneously, the court set the hearing on the Delhi Police’s application seeking permission for a polygraph test of all six accused on January 5.

The police are seeking approval for conducting brain mapping and Narco analysis of Manoranjan and Sagar. The court adjourned the matter due to the unavailability of the legal aid counsel appointed by the court and requested more time.

All the accused, namely Lalit Jha, Manoranjan, Sagar, Amol Shinde, Mahesh Kumawat, and Neelam Azad, were presented before the court under stringent security measures. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hardeep Kaur instructed the Delhi Police to file a reply on the bail application, setting the hearing for January 10.

Neelam Azad, represented by advocate Suresh Chaudhary, has filed a bail plea, citing a violation of Article 22 for not producing her before the court within 24 hours of arrest. The plea contends that despite being arrested outside the parliament building on December 13, 2023, at 1:18 PM in connection with a parliament security breach, she was presented before the court on December 14, 2023, after a 29-hour period from the time of arrest.

Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Akhand Pratap Singh opposed the bail application, asserting its non-maintainability.

Regarding the application seeking permission for a polygraph test, remand counsel Umakant Kataria stated during the hearing that it should be the last resort after exhausting all alternative investigative avenues. He emphasized that all alternatives must be explored by the investigation agency before resorting to a polygraph test.

The case revolves around a security breach at the parliament on December 13, 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of the parliament attack case. All six accused face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and are in the custody of the Special Cell of Delhi Police until January 5, 2024.