New Delhi, 28 July (H.S.): A Delhi court has directed the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) to assess the mental condition of Sarabjit Singh, the accused in the Delhi Legislative Assembly security breach case, and determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial and defend himself in court. Additional Sessions Judge Ankur Jain passed the order. The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 6.

Sarabjit Singh has filed an application seeking regular bail. During the hearing, his counsel, Anshul Shukla, submitted that the plea had been moved under the provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act. He informed the court that the investigating officer had already verified Sarabjit's medical records.

Shukla argued that Sarabjit suffers from bipolar disorder and requested the constitution of a medical board to evaluate his mental condition. The submission was not opposed by Delhi Police counsel Atul Srivastava. Accepting the request, the court directed IHBAS to constitute a medical board for the assessment. It also instructed the jail authorities to produce Sarabjit before doctors at IHBAS whenever required.

During an earlier hearing on April 15, Sarabjit's counsel had opposed the police's plea for his custody, contending that his client was suffering from mental health issues. At that time, the court had noted that Sarabjit had previously been admitted to IHBAS for psychiatric treatment.

The defence had further submitted that Sarabjit had left for Chandigarh around 14 to 15 days earlier without informing anyone to meet his sister and had also visited a gurdwara there. After learning that his nephew had gone missing, he returned to Delhi. According to his counsel, Sarabjit mistakenly entered the Delhi Legislative Assembly believing it to be a gurdwara. During the proceedings, however, the court observed that Sarabjit had driven himself from Pilibhit to Chandigarh and then onwards to Delhi.

Delhi Police arrested Sarabjit Singh on April 6 after he allegedly breached security at the Delhi Legislative Assembly. According to the prosecution, he entered the Assembly premises through VIP Gate No. 2 while wearing a face covering and after breaking through barricades. He then proceeded directly to the office of Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, placed a bouquet in the porch, and fled the premises. Police later arrested two other individuals in connection with the incident.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar