New Delhi : Chemicals found in coloured smoke canisters, which were used by the accused in the security breach in Parliament on December 13, 2023, “may act as explosives”, Delhi Police is learnt to have said in a supplementary chargesheet filed earlier this month.
Sagar Sharma from Lucknow and Manoranjan D from Mysuru had allegedly jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery, raised slogans and opened canisters that emitted yellow smoke, triggering panic among those present. Two others, Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde, allegedly opened smoke canisters outside the new Parliament building.
Police say the intruders had modified their shoes to hide the canisters — the soles were thickened using rubber, and a cavity was created by cutting from the inside.
During the investigation, police found six used canisters and an unused canister, which they sent to the National Forensic Sciences University in Gujarat’s Gandhi Nagar on January 1, 2024.
Sources said traces of chemicals had been found in the canisters, inside the Lok Sabha chamber where they were opened, and from the shoes of two accused.
According to a source, the chargesheet states, “As per the (forensic) report, exhibits contain residual characteristic of smoke bomb compositions, such as chloride, nitrate, sulphate, potassium, and ammonium ions. The presence of these ions suggests materials commonly used to manufacture ‘smoke bombs’ such as potassium nitrate and ammonium chloride act as oxidisers and reactants in the production of smoke. Additionally, the detection of sulphate ions may indicate the presence of substances like sulphur or sulphur-containing compounds, which contribute to the smoke’s density and opacity. Therefore, the submitted exhibits may act as explosives.”
When contacted, advocate Somarjuna V M, who is representing the accused, said, “The act was purely a protest, and they used the canister to grab attention. It is not hazardous; it is available publicly and permitted by the government. This is a case of police hiding their negligence. These (people) are true followers of freedom fighters like Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh… They raised their voice out of frustration with state administrative machinery, unemployment, poverty, monetary instability, the economy, and for the farmers.”
Police also sent remnants of burnt mobile phones of the four accused, which were recovered from Nagaur in Rajasthan on December 17, 2023, for forensics testing. However, experts were unable to recover any data, it is learnt. “A laptop was also seized, and after examination, data was retrieved. A partial image of… a pamphlet used in the Parliament was found from the laptop,” a source said.
The incident, which took place hours after lawmakers had paid tribute to those who died in the 2001 terror attack on the old Parliament building, had triggered a political firestorm. Manoranjan, Sharma, Neelam and Amol were arrested from the spot, while two others – Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat – were arrested by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell later.
The accused are charged under Sections 13, 16, and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and various Sections of the IPC. All six accused are currently in judicial custody. Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has accorded prosecution sanction against them under the stringent UAPA.
(Courtesy: The Indian Express)
2023 Parliament breach chargesheet: Chemicals used in smoke canisters may act as explosives

2023 Parliament breach chargesheet: Chemicals used in smoke canisters may act as explosives