A bouquet of flowers at the Delhi Legislative Assembly complex sparked a major security scare on Monday afternoon. But it wasn’t just the package; This was how it was brought.
The matter began when a masked man drove his car into the assembly headquarters, then left after dropping a bouquet of flowers on the balcony of the building. Within about two hours, the masked man and two others were in police custody in connection with a case that was equally bizarre and frightening. The reason for his doing so remained a mystery until Monday evening at the time of filing this report.
Follow live updates on the war between Iran and the United States
The man behind the wheels has been identified as Sarbjit Singh who hacked into Gate 2, which is used for VIPs. Singh got out of the car, went ahead to place a bouquet on the balcony near Parliament Speaker Vijender Gupta’s car, and drove away, HT reported.
Police said the entire incident was recorded on nearby surveillance cameras.
From the car ramming into the Delhi assembly complex to the arrest of the suspects, the entire security breach incident unfolded in a span of two hours.
A masked man breaks into the association’s compound
At around 2pm, a masked man behind wheels stormed the assembly complex in Delhi. The suspect collided with the tall iron gate as well as a barrier on his way inside. Police said the vehicle used in the accident was a white Tata Sierra SUV, which had a Uttar Pradesh registration number. It was registered in the name of Sarbjit Singh, the man now in custody.
Also read: West Bengal elections: Supreme Court says Malda Gherao was ‘pre-planned’ and calls for NIA probe
The SUV also collided with an autorickshaw at around 2:15pm and the police also spoke to him.
Officials told HT that employees who were present at Gate No. 2 and inside during the hack were questioned.
News agency PTI later reported that the car was seized from north Delhi. Three men were arrested.
The bomb squad called
As per security protocol, bomb squads and crime branch were called in, and nothing suspicious was found till the last update.
Special Commissioners of Police Anil Shukla Ravindra Yadav were at the spot.
Read also: Iran says no talks “under threats” and accuses the United States and Israel of not having “red lines” as the war escalates
Multiple police teams, along with the bomb disposal squad, conducted a comprehensive sweep of the area to rule out any threat. Forensic experts also examined the package.
“The entire incident happened within 5-7 minutes.”
While the detained suspects are being questioned, police said it is too early to comment on the motive behind the entire incident.
“Our teams are interrogating him. The motive is not clear. But we are investigating the entire matter from every possible angle,” a police officer told PTI.
“The whole incident happened very quickly, in just five to seven minutes,” the officer said.
Reckless and reckless driving in the speaker’s car
The agency quoted official sources as saying that the car was driving in a very reckless manner and was approaching the side of Delhi University.
They added that the driver made a sharp left turn, collided with the vehicle at the main gate, broke through the boom barriers and entered the assembly headquarters.
Read also: “Your wife has bank links in Pakistan”: Himanta Sarma’s wife to Gaurav Gogoi amid passport, Dubai links dispute
He placed a bouquet of flowers and a wreath inside the official car of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, which was parked on the balcony of his office at the House headquarters.
Security personnel later removed the bouquet and wreath on suspicion that they contained explosive materials.
How did the accused gain entry?
Delhi Vidhan Sabha has six gates, gate 2 is reserved for VIPs. It is only opened during important events which may be the reason why the security at this gate was not strict. Only one CRPF personnel was reportedly deployed at the gate when the security breach occurred.
Since Gate No. 1 is the main entry gate, most of the CRPF personnel are posted there. A total of 22 CRPF personnel and 70 to 80 police personnel are deployed in Vidhan Sabha every day, a senior officer was quoted as saying.
With inputs from PTI
