A Delhi court has granted 30 days of interim bail to Sagar Sharma, one of the individuals accused in the high-profile December 2023 Parliament security breach case. The relief was extended on humanitarian grounds, allowing Sharma to attend to the last rites and post-cremation rituals of his recently deceased father.
Court Grants Bail Amidst Ongoing Trial
The interim bail order was issued by Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Amit Bansal at the Patiala House Court. Sharma's counsel had sought a two-month bail period, but the court ultimately approved a 30-day release, effective from the date of his actual release from custody.
As part of the bail conditions, Sagar Sharma is required to furnish a personal bond of ₹50,000, along with one sound surety for the same amount. He has been explicitly directed to surrender before the court immediately upon the expiry of the 30-day interim bail period and to comply with all other imposed conditions.
The court’s order, dated July 17, underscored that this temporary bail is strictly humanitarian in nature and should not be interpreted as any observation on the merits of the ongoing criminal case. It further clarified that legal proceedings against Sharma will resume in accordance with the law once his bail period concludes.
Background of the Parliament Security Breach
The incident in question occurred on December 13, 2023, during the Winter Session of Parliament. Two individuals, including Sagar Sharma, gained entry into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors' gallery. Once inside, they released coloured smoke canisters, causing significant alarm and disruption within the House. Simultaneously, two other individuals staged a protest outside the Parliament complex, also deploying smoke canisters and raising slogans.
Sagar Sharma was among six individuals subsequently arrested in connection with the breach. He has remained in judicial custody since December 14, 2023, and previous applications for regular bail have been denied. The accused in the case face severe charges, including provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The trial for the Parliament security breach case is currently underway.