Man linked to security lapse at PM event quizzed by IB, SPG

Personnel of Intelligence Bureau and Special Protection Group have questioned the man at the centre of the security breach during the swearing-in ceremony of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis last month, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present.
Anil Mishra, who claims to be a BJP activist, was arrested after the security lapse came to light and he has been charged with impersonation and criminal trespass.
"IB and SPG, which are conducting parallel inquiry into the security lapse, recently questioned Anil Mishra at length. Their line of inquiry focused on how he managed to sneak into the high security zone and if he had any criminal intentions," a police officer privy to the probe said today.

SPG is an armed force providing security to the Prime Minister, former PMs and members of their immediate families and some other VVIPs.
Mishra was produced before a local court today at the end of his police custody. He has been remanded in judicial custody till November 24, police said.
Mishra allegedly entered Wankhede Stadium, where the ceremony was held on October 31, without a valid pass and got onto the dais where Modi was sitting along with other dignitaries. He posed as a public servant and gained unauthorised entry at the event, according to police.

The 39-year-old was arrested on November 6 by Marine Drive Police here, which is probing the matter. He has been booked under IPC sections 170 (personating a public servant) and 447 (punishment for criminal trespass).

Police sources today said they had sought extension of Mishra's custody on the ground that they were yet to record the statement of some more people related to the incident.
"We also wanted to know if he had any connections in Delhi," the police official said.
Mishra's lawyer Akhilesh Upadhyay told reporters that his client is a BJP member and charges against him are baseless.
"Mishra is a registered member of BJP and he went on to the dais to greet the Ministers only after the ceremony. Had he been stopped by the security agencies, he would not have gone there. The charges against my client are baseless."

According to the police, Mishra was spotted near the VVIPs, including Modi, India's most protected politician, and Fadnavis. Mishra got his photographs clicked with dignitaries such as Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, both present at the event, and then uploaded them on social media.