Humanitarian Relief: Delhi Court Grants 30-Day Interim Bail to 2023 Parliament Breach Accused Sagar Sharma Following Father’s Demise
Delhi's Patiala House Court has granted a 30-day interim bail to Sagar Sharma, one of the primary accused in the 2023 Parliament security breach case, on humanitarian grounds following his father's death.
In a significant judicial development related to the 2023 Parliament security breach case, Delhi’s Patiala House Court has granted 30 days of interim bail to accused Sagar Sharma on strictly humanitarian grounds. The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal after considering a plea filed by Sharma's legal counsel stating that the accused's father, Roshan Lal Sharma, passed away from cancer on July 14. The court allowed the temporary reprieve to enable Sharma, as the sole surviving male member of his immediate family, to perform the essential post-cremation rituals and 'Terahvin' ceremonies.
During the court proceedings, the counsel representing Sharma highlighted that the applicant had been in judicial custody since December 14, 2023. It was submitted that his presence was vital not only to lead the required religious ceremonies but also to provide immediate emotional and physical support to his grieving mother and sister. The Delhi Police's Special Cell, which investigated the case under stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) along with IPC charges, verified the death certificate and cremation records. Subsequently, the prosecution informed the court that it did not oppose the interim bail request on humanitarian considerations, provided strict bail conditions were imposed.
In its official order, the court explicitly clarified that the temporary relief was being granted solely on humanitarian grounds and should not be construed as any reflection or comment on the legal merits of the broader case. To ensure compliance and prevent any interference with ongoing legal proceedings, Judge Amit Bansal laid down stringent bail conditions. Sharma was directed to furnish a personal bond of ₹50,000 with one sound surety. Additionally, he has been strictly prohibited from interacting with the media through press conferences or interviews, and barred from making any posts related to the Parliament breach on social media platforms during his period of interim release.
The underlying case pertains to the major security lapse that occurred on December 13, 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of the 2001 terror attack on Parliament. During Zero Hour proceedings in the Lok Sabha, Sagar Sharma along with co-accused Manoranjan D. jumped into the chamber from the visitors' gallery, releasing yellow smoke from concealed canisters and shouting slogans before being overpowered by Member of Parliaments. Simultaneously, other associates, including Amol Shinde and Neelam Azad, demonstrated outside the Parliament complex using similar smoke canisters. The Delhi Police charge sheet framed the incident as a well-planned conspiracy aimed at creating widespread chaos and intimidation inside the supreme legislative body.
With the 30-day interim bail period now active, Sharma is required to report periodically to his local police station and must surrender to jail authorities immediately upon the expiration of the relief window. The court underscored that any violation of the imposed conditions, including attempting to contact witnesses or leaving the country without prior judicial permission, would result in the immediate cancellation of his interim bail.
