Not an 'Innocuous Protest'? Unused Smoke Canister May be Missing Piece of Security Breach Probe Puzzle

An unused can from the Parliament security breach could hold the key for investigators, with sources confirming to CNN-News18 that the canister recovered from Lok Sabha has been sent for forensic analysis.

Investigators suspect that phosphorus or phosphate-based chemical was used to spread yellow gas in Parliament.

“If used in large quantities, phosphorus can cause burns or blisters on the skin. The act of intrusion doesn’t appear to be an innocuous protest,” an official told CNN-News18.

Investigators said seven cans were used by the intruders. While Manoranjan D and Sagar Sharma carried two cans to the Lok Sabha’s visitors’ gallery, from where they jumped into the chamber, five were kept outside with Neelam and Amol Shinde who were protesting outside the premises.

“All canisters are of the same make with prima facie phosphorus being the primary ingredient. The accused are being questioned to ascertain how the canisters were ferried from Latur, where they were procured, to Delhi,” a source said.

Police suspect that Manoranjan D, who holds an engineering degree, was the brain behind mixing of chemicals and using a canister spray. Preliminary probe suggests Manoranjan and Sagar carried out a recce in the last session of Parliament and decided that smuggling the canisters in their shoes was the best way to avoid detection at security checks. Specially made shoes, with deep cavities in their soles, were worn by the suspects to ferry the canisters, the police said.

Gurjeet Aujla, the MP who tackled Sharma inside Lok Sabha, still has deep yellow stains on his palm. He told CNN-News18 that even after repeated washing with soap water, the stains and the stench of chemical refused to go.

Breach Update

Lalit Jha, the seventh accused, was arrested by police on Thursday night after a 24-hour chase. Jha filmed and live-streamed the Transport Bhawan smoke bomb explosion and allegedly fled from the spot.

Police said the two men who entered the Lok Sabha wanted to replicate the act of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in the House.

Police have scanned the bank accounts of all the accused, and tried to ascertain if they received any funding for the act. A Delhi court on Thursday sent the four accused arrested for the breach of security to the police’s custody for seven days for interrogation.