Lok Sabha: Man tries to jump from visitor’s gallery

In what could have been a major security breach, Lok Sabha on Friday witnessed commotion after a man sitting in the visitor’s gallery tried to jump over the railings into the House chamber as security personnel promptly overpowered him before whisking him away. The unprecedented incident happened soon after the proceedings were adjourned at 1120 hours amid vociferous protests by the Opposition over the demonetisation issue. Later when the House reassembled at noon, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan identified the man as Rakesh Singh Baghel from Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh.

Mentioning the incident, she said the man tried to jump into the House and that the Parliament security personnel overpowered him. “He may be released with a warning after enquiry,” Mahajan said. and hoped that the House agreed with it. In response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said they are in agreement. Soon after mentioning the incident at around 1240 hours, the Speaker adjourned it for the day as Opposition parties continued to protest.