NGO Aide Was Told by Parliament Breach Accused to “Keep Video Safe, Ensure Coverage”

New Delhi: Following Wednesday’s massive breach in the Lok Sabha, Bihar’s Lalit Jha was the only accused to escape. He sent a video of two of his accomplices deploying canisters outside Parliament to the founder of an NGO in Kolkata, asking him to ensure media coverage.

According to officials, Jha recorded Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde using canisters containing yellow and red smoke and shouting slogans against “dictatorship” while two other accused, Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, jumped into the chamber of the Lok Sabha from the visitors’ gallery and deployed canisters there.

As the other four accused were being taken into custody, Jha took advantage of the disturbance, collected all of their mobile phones, and left the area. Officials said that Jha sent one of the films to Nilaksha Aich, the founder of an NGO based in Kolkata, after making his getaway. In addition, Jha served as general secretary of an NGO that Aich managed.

According to a snapshot of the discussion, Jha requested Aich, who seemed to know nothing about the Parliament hack, to make sure the film is kept “safe” and gets plenty of media coverage.

“Information dekhiye isko aye. or Video safe aap rakhna. Jai Hind (Make sure this is covered by the media. After emailing Aich the video, Jha said, “Keep the video safe).”

Okay, Aich replied in writing, inquiring as to the source of the film.

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, a strict anti-terror statute, as well as the Indian Penal Code’s provisions on criminal conspiracy and inciting hatred, among other things, have led to the arrest and charging of Neelam Azad, Amol Shinde, Sagar Sharma, and Manoranjan D.

Vicky Sharma, another accused, and his spouse are in custody for providing sanctuary to other parties associated with the crime at their Gurugram residence. Three days before to the breach, which occurred on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament assault, all of the accused, who were from various states, had arrived in Delhi on Sunday.

Police authorities said that Lalit Jha is evading capture and that they are making attempts to find him.