The responsibility for securing the Parliament complex is shared among the Delhi Police, paramilitary forces, and a specialised unit known as the Parliament Security Service (PSS). The Delhi Police manages access to the area surrounding the complex, while paramilitary forces guard its outer perimeter
The security of the Parliament complex has been subjected to rigorous measures following the terror attack on December 13, 2001. However, the recent security breach on Wednesday, where two individuals successfully crossed multiple layers of security checks, infiltrated the Lok Sabha with smoke canisters, and entered the House from the visitor’s gallery, has exposed significant vulnerabilities in the existing system. Despite the severity of the incident, authorities are cautious in labelling it as a terror attack.
The responsibility for securing the Parliament complex is shared among the Delhi Police, paramilitary forces, and a specialised unit known as the Parliament Security Service (PSS). The Delhi Police manages access to the area surrounding the complex, while paramilitary forces guard its outer perimeter. Inside the complex, the PSS and Delhi Police take charge. The PSS, headed by a joint secretary-level officer, enforces three distinct security checks for every visitor: at the entrance of the Parliament complex before guest passes are issued, at the gate of the new Parliament building, and just before visitors enter the gallery. Visitors undergo thorough inspections at each level, and they are prohibited from carrying items such as pens or books into the House.
Visitors attending proceedings on the recommendation of an MP or as personal guests of the Lok Sabha Speaker of Rajya Sabha chairman, including diplomats and foreign dignitaries, receive a relatively relaxed security treatment as distinguished visitors. However, others, including the two individuals involved in the recent security breach, undergo a stringent security process. Once cleared, they are escorted to one of the three public galleries by security personnel. Even within the galleries, House Marshals or security officers occupy the front row seats throughout the proceedings, preventing guests from occupying those positions.
This security arrangements were implemented in response to a past incident where a visitor breached security by jumping onto the House floor during the passage of the bill to form Jharkhand in the old Parliament building.
In the aftermath of the recent breach, the home ministry, in collaboration with the PSS, Intelligence Bureau, Special Protection Group, Parliament Duty Group, and other central agencies, is set to conduct a comprehensive review of the entire security apparatus. This includes scrutinising the Parliament House complex, its annex, access control systems, galleries, and the procedures for both advance and instant verification of visitors. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, after visiting Parliament post-incident, engaged in discussions with concerned agencies. Meanwhile, Delhi Police is actively investigating the motive and association of the arrested individuals, and the Special Cell will specifically look into the verification process conducted on the day of the breach.
