Parliament security breach mastermind's parents in shock as investigation continues

NEW DELHI: Following the

Parliament security breach

on Wednesday which left the nation in a state of shock, parents of the alleged ‘mastermind’,

Lalit Jha

, are still struggling to come to terms with the situation. Lalit's father Devanand, a priest in Kolkata, visibly feels uneasy about the attention their run-down ancestral house in Bihar is now receiving.
Talking to reporters at his home in Rampur Uday, Darbhanga district, Devanand Jha said, "I came to know about my son's arrest through other people.

As you all can see, we do not even own a TV set."

Lalit's mother, Manjula, appeared dazed and emotional, insisting, "My child is not a rogue. He cannot indulge in wrongdoings. He has always loved to help people. He has donated his blood three times."

However, as they confront the harsh reality of their son being booked under the stringent

UAPA

, which means it might be a long time before the court deems it fit to grant him bail.

Lalit's parents have made an emotional plea to the court, pleading his innocence saying, "We will beg the court to have mercy on our son. There must have been some mix-up. He cannot be a part of anything nefarious."

It has been a week since the couple last saw their 32-year-old son, who surrendered to the Delhi police two days after a security breach in the Parliament building. The breach also involved individuals carrying canisters emitting yellow, foul-smelling gases, into the Lok Sabha's visitors' gallery.

Lalit Jha, has been accused of close links with the Trinamool

Congress

in West Bengal, a key member of the INDIA bloc. Although this charge has been denied by West Bengal chief minister and TMC leader, Mamata Banerjee.
Talking about his son Devanand recalled, "My son was a bright student who had started helping me financially by giving tuitions. We were to come together to Darbhanga together during Chhath. We did so every year. This time, because of a very high rush, we could not get the tickets. So we had to postpone our annual visit."

He added, "Lalit had come to see us off at the railway station and promised to join us later, saying he was going to Delhi for some work. He has never been into politics though he liked to support social causes and been associated with NGOs."
The breach occurred on the anniversary of the 2001 terror attack at the old Sansad Bhavan, sparking a political outrage.
The arrested individuals claimed their intent was to make a statement against rising unemployment, but the BJP has alleged their involvement with the

INDIA alliance

.
(With agency inputs)

Watch Parliament Security Breach: Why the alleged mastermind Lalit Jha surrender?