Parliament security breach case: Delhi court sends accused Mahesh Kumawat to 7-day police custody
New Delhi, Dec 16: A Delhi court on Saturday sent Mahesh Kumawat, arrested in the Parliament security breach case, to police remand for seven days for custodial interrogation after the prosecution alleged that he was involved in the conspiracy for the "last two years".
Special Judge Hardeep Kaur remanded Kumawat in Delhi police's custody after the public prosecutor told the court that the accused "wanted to create anarchy in the country so that they can compel the government to meet their unjust and illegal demands".
"He was in contact with other accused persons in hatching the conspiracy for the last two years. He helped the mastermind accused, Lalit Jha, in the destruction of the mobile phone to destroy evidence and to hide the larger conspiracy," the prosecutor told the court, adding he was required to be questioned to unearth the entire conspiracy.
The court passed the order on an application filed by the city police which sought his custody for 15 days.
The defence counsel opposed the police application, claiming that the Kumawat was arrested without any reason in a violation of his fundamental rights.
During the arguments, the prosecutor told the court that the custody of the accused was required "to find the actual motive behind the attack and his association with enemy country and terrorist organisations".
According to Delhi police, Kumawat has been arrested on charges of destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy.
It was the sixth arrest in the case.
Kumawat had come on his own to a police station along with Lalit Jha on Thursday night and both were handed over to the Special Cell. He was being questioned since then, the police said.
He was a member of the now-deleted Bhagat Singh Fan Club page created by the accused, they said.
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Mangaluru cooker bomb case: Main accused gets 10-year jail term
Bengaluru/Mangaluru (PTI): A special NIA court in Bengaluru on Monday sentenced the prime accused in the Mangaluru cooker bomb case to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 94,000.
Mohamed Shariq had initially claimed innocence in the case, but later pleaded guilty under Section 229 of CrPC in December 2025, which the special court accepted.
According to prosecution, Shariq was carrying the pressure cooker IED (improvised explosive device) in an autorickshaw, and allegedly planned to plant it at Mangaluru’s Kadri Manjunatha Temple to spread terror among the Hindu community. The low intensity bomb, however, accidentally exploded on the way on November 19, 2022.
As per the operative portion of the order pronounced in open court, the accused Shariq (Accused No.1) was handed 10 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.
He was also received two years’ rigorous imprisonment each under Sections 465 (forgery) and 471 (using forged documents), with fines of Rs 2,000 each.
The court further awarded 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each under Sections 121A (waging war conspiracy), 122 (collecting arms with intent to wage war), 307 (attempt to murder) and 326 (causing grievous hurt).
Under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the accused was sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 5,000 each under Sections 16(b), 17, 18, 20, 38, 39 and 40.
Additionally, under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, he was awarded 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment with fines of Rs 5,000 each under Sections 3(a) and 5(a).
The court ordered that all substantive sentences shall run concurrently. In case of default in payment of fines, additional imprisonment ranging from one to six months has been prescribed for different counts.
The court also ordered that the period already undergone in judicial custody be set off against the sentence under Section 428 of the CrPC. The fine amount, once recovered, will be utilised towards defraying prosecution expenses.
Advocates said the court directed that a soft copy of the order be provided to the accused through email and a hard copy be sent by post, as his presence was secured through video conferencing.
A warrant of conviction has been ordered to be issued.
In the same case, the judicial custody of accused no 2 has been extended till May 21, 2026, and jail authorities have been directed to produce the accused through video conferencing on that date.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad welcomed the court verdict and urged the NIA to file an appeal in the court to increase the sentence.
"His intention was to blow up the Kadri temple and kill hundreds of devotees. Considering this, the sentence should have been increased but the sentence has been reduced. We immediately urge the National Investigation Agency to file an appeal with the court to increase the sentence," the VHP said in a statement.
