Court Orders Five-Day Judicial Custody for Delhi Assembly Security Breach Accused
A court in New Delhi on Wednesday sent Sarabjeet Singh, the individual accused of breaching security at the Delhi Legislative Assembly by forcing his way into the complex in a sports utility vehicle, to five days of judicial custody. This decision marks a significant development in a case that has raised serious questions about assembly security protocols and the mental state of the accused.
Defense Cites Mental Health Deterioration
Sarabjeet Singh was produced before Chief Judicial Magistrate Harshita Mishra following the expiration of his initial eight-day police custody, which had been granted on April 7. His legal counsel, advocate Anshu Shukla, strongly opposed any extension of police custody, emphasizing the accused's deteriorating mental health condition. Shukla argued that Singh has been suffering from mental illness for an extended period and had mistakenly entered the assembly premises, "thinking it was a gurdwara".
The investigating officer confirmed that Singh was referred to the Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences Hospital, where he received brief admission and was prescribed appropriate medication. This medical intervention occurred during the initial phase of the investigation, highlighting the complexity of the case.
Prosecution Highlights Investigation at Nascent Stage
Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastav presented the prosecution's perspective, stating that the investigation remains at a "nascent stage" with several critical procedures pending. One key element mentioned was the test identification parade of the accused, which could not be conducted earlier due to his hospitalization. Shrivastav emphasized the necessity of completing these investigative steps to ensure a thorough examination of all evidence.
Furthermore, the prosecution revealed Singh's alleged connection to the farmers' agitation, noting that he was identified as a "follower of Kisan Andolan". Investigators pointed to his social media activity, where he shared multiple posts expressing support for protesters who lost their lives during the 2020-21 agitation against the three contentious farm laws, which have since been repealed. Some of these posts were reportedly deleted following the incident, adding another layer to the investigation.
Details of the Security Breach Incident
The security breach occurred on April 6 when an SUV bearing a Uttar Pradesh registration from Pilibhit rammed through gate number 2 of the Delhi Assembly around 2 PM. According to police reports, the vehicle approached from the Delhi University side, forcefully broke through the boom barriers, and entered the assembly premises. This brazen act triggered immediate security responses and raised alarms about potential vulnerabilities in the assembly's protective measures.
A formal case has been registered under multiple relevant provisions of the law, including:
- Attempt to murder
- Criminal trespass with preparation to commit an offence
- Use of criminal force against a public servant
- Other charges related to obstruction of public servants in the discharge of their duties
The combination of these serious charges underscores the gravity with which authorities are treating the incident, balancing legal accountability with considerations of the accused's mental health claims and alleged political affiliations.
