New Delhi:On the solemn occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament, the nation found itself confronted with a disconcerting echo from the past. The newly constructed Parliament House witnessed a significant breach in security on December 13, 2023. The incident unfolded as six individuals associated with the ‘Bhagat Singh Fan Club,’ a social media page, were apprehended by the Special Cell of Delhi Police.
Regrettably, one suspect remains at large.The unfolding investigation has brought to light alarming details. Two of the accused had conducted reconnaissance missions of the Parliament House complex in March and July. The breach was particularly unsettling as it occurred on a day when the country was solemnly commemorating the sacrifice of martyrs who lost their lives in the 2001 attack on the Parliament, a symbol of democracy.
The charges filed by the Special Cell under the Indian Penal Code include sections 452 (trespassing) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy), in addition to relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The gravity of the situation underscores the imperative of a thorough inquiry into the lapses in the security apparatus that allowed such an incident to occur in the heart of the nation’s legislative infrastructure. As the investigation unfolds, the nation awaits answers and concrete measures to fortify the security of its democratic institutions.