Delhi High Court Questions Arrests for Prank at Parliament, Debates Severity of Offense Under Unlawful Activities Act

The Delhi High Court raised concerns over the arrests made in connection with a prank at the Parliament, questioning whether the offense warranted charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities Act. Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar expressed doubts about equating the accused with martyrs like Bhagat Singh.

The court sought explanations from the Delhi Police regarding the application of the law in this case. The accused individuals, Neelam Azad and Mahesh Kumawat, had been taken into custody for their alleged involvement in a security breach incident.

The court deliberated on the use of a smoke canister inside the Parliament premises and whether it constituted a terrorist activity. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the Delhi Police, argued that the incident had caused panic among the parliamentarians and should be taken seriously.

The accused individuals were seeking bail, with their lawyers contesting the severity of the charges against them. The court scheduled further hearings to assess the evidence and determine the nature of the offense.

The incident, which occurred on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, involved individuals entering the Lok Sabha chamber and releasing gas canisters. The police claimed that the act was premeditated and aimed at disrupting parliamentary proceedings.

The High Court emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to establish the intentions behind the use of smoke canisters. The case raised significant security concerns and highlighted the challenges of maintaining order and safety within the parliamentary complex.