Delhi HC Grants Bail In Parliament Breach Case, Bars Public Statements By Accused

The court’s decision came with a set of specific conditions aimed at ensuring continued cooperation with the investigation and maintaining public order.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday approved the bail applications of Neelam Azad and Mahesh Kumawat, both of whom had been in custody in connection with the 2023 Parliament security breach.

The court’s decision came with a set of specific conditions aimed at ensuring continued cooperation with the investigation and maintaining public order.

In its ruling, the court directed both accused to furnish a personal bail bond of Rs 50,000 each, supported by two sureties of the same amount. This financial condition forms a part of the procedural requirements to secure their release from custody.

Strict Bail Conditions Imposed by the Court

Alongside the monetary bond, the court has imposed several behavioural and logistical restrictions on Azad and Kumawat. Most notably, both individuals have been barred from making any public statements or granting interviews regarding the ongoing case. This measure appears to be aimed at preventing the case from being influenced or sensationalised in the media.

Furthermore, the court has ordered that they must remain within the jurisdiction of Delhi. Any attempt to leave the city would constitute a violation of their bail terms. In addition, the accused are required to mark their attendance at the designated police station on a thrice-weekly basis — specifically every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10 AM — to ensure their availability to law enforcement and to affirm compliance with the bail conditions.

The Delhi High Court division bench, comprising Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, delivered its verdict in the case on Wednesday. The ruling had earlier been reserved on May 21.

The breach at the Parliament took place on December 13, 2023, when six individuals carried out a coordinated intrusion. Among them, Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D managed to enter the Lok Sabha chamber. Taking advantage of the Zero Hour proceedings, the two jumped from the public gallery, released yellow-coloured gas from canisters, and shouted slogans before being overpowered by Members of Parliament and security staff.

Investigators later discovered that the accused were connected through a social media community titled the ‘Bhagat Singh Fan Club.’ The group had reportedly come together in Mysuru and used the Signal app—an encrypted messaging platform—to plan and execute their actions. The operation was carried out nearly 18 months after they first conceived it.

Notably, the incident occurred on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack—a deadly assault by five Jaish-e-Mohammed militants that left six Delhi Police officers, two Parliament security personnel, and one gardener dead.