Custom-made sneakers with hidden compartments led to Parliament security breach

In a startling revelation that rocked the foundations of the nation’s democracy, Sagar Sharma and D Manoranjan, two men responsible for a significant security scare in Parliament, used ingeniously modified sports shoes to smuggle yellow smoke canisters inside the prestigious building. The Delhi Police, after an extensive investigation, shared jaw-dropping details about the smuggling operation on Friday morning.

Crafty Cavities in Custom-Made Shoes: The Modus Operandi Revealed

The mastermind behind this audacious act, Sagar Sharma, along with his accomplice, D Manoranjan, wore custom-made sneakers with cavities carved into the left soles. These cavities, ingeniously hidden beneath extra padding and a second rubber slip, were specifically designed to house the smoke canisters. This alarming detail emerged from the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the police, a copy of which was exclusively accessed by NDTV.

The Arrest and Investigation: From Parliament to Lucknow

Sharma, who wore a pair of khaki-colored socks to complement his light grey shoes, and Manoranjan, donning dark blue socks with darker grey shoes, have both been sent to police custody. Along with them, Neelam Devi and Amol Shinde, who were involved in the incident outside Parliament, are also being held. The police plan to take Sharma to Lucknow to identify the shop where these custom sneakers were ordered.

The Aftermath: Seizures and Evidence Collection

As part of their forensic inquiries, the police also recovered the used canisters, Aadhaar cards confirming the identities of Sharma and Manoranjan from Lucknow and Mysuru, and two partly-torn pamphlets. These pamphlets, one bearing the phrase ‘Jai Hind’ and another with a slogan on ethnic violence in Manipur, were intended to be delivered to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting issues such as unemployment.

The Broader Implications: Political Turmoil and Security Questions

This unprecedented breach has sparked a massive political row, leading to the suspension of fourteen opposition MPs. The opposition is demanding an explanation from the government, particularly concerning the security lapses at the newly-built complex. BJP MP Prathap Simha, whose office issued the visitor passes that allowed Sharma and Manoranjan access to the Lok Sabha, has denied any involvement.

The Closing Chapter: The Arrest of the Alleged Mastermind

In a dramatic twist, the alleged mastermind behind this elaborate plot, Lalit Jha, was arrested last evening after a 48-hour manhunt. Jha, suspected of destroying critical evidence, had fled to Rajasthan’s Nagaur before surrendering. Alongside Jha, a sixth accused, Vicky Sharma, and a seventh, Mahesh, a laborer, have also been implicated in this astonishing saga of deceit and intrigue.