In a case that has sent shockwaves through the United Kingdom, Jaswant Singh Chail, a 21-year-old man, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for plotting to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II. The young man was arrested on Christmas Day in 2021 near Windsor Castle, armed with a crossbow and wearing a metal mask. The incident has reignited concerns about the security measures in place to protect the British monarch and other members of the royal family.
The Arrest and the “Treason Act”
Jaswant Singh Chail was apprehended on the morning of December 25, 2021, near the apartments of Queen Elizabeth II in Windsor Castle. At the time of his arrest, he was 18 years old and was found carrying a crossbow while his face was covered with a metal mask. According to the prosecution, Chail told the police that he was there “to kill the queen.” Following his arrest, he was transferred to a psychiatric center, according to the Daily Mail.
The act was qualified under the “Treason Act,” a law seldom invoked by British justice. The law, which dates back to 1842, punishes attempts aimed at “injuring or harming Her Majesty.”
Motive and Sentencing
Chail, a former supermarket employee residing in Southampton, had sent a video to around twenty people shortly before committing the act. In the video, he announced his intention to murder Queen Elizabeth II. During the trial, it was revealed that Chail was acting out of resentment towards the British Empire, specifically seeking revenge for the treatment of Indians.
The convict cited the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, also known as the Amritsar massacre, as a reason for his actions. During this tragic event, Indian soldiers under the British colonial regime opened fire on an unauthorized political demonstration, resulting in several hundred deaths.
Judge Nicholas Hilliard handed down a “hybrid” sentence, stating that Chail would remain in a psychiatric hospital until his condition allows for his transfer to prison. Several psychiatrists who examined him stated that he was suffering from psychotic disorders at the time of the events. However, the judge noted that Chail had previously harbored “homicidal thoughts” before becoming psychotic.
Security Concerns Rekindled
The attempted assassination has raised concerns about the adequacy of security measures to protect the British monarch. Queen Elizabeth II, who was 95 years old at the time, was residing at Windsor Castle amid the Covid-19 pandemic. She was there to celebrate the end-of-year holidays with other members of the royal family, including her son Charles, who has since been crowned king.
Other Incidents
It’s worth noting that this is not an isolated incident involving security breaches at royal residences. On September 16, London police reported the arrest of a 25-year-old man who attempted to climb the wall to enter the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. The man was arrested for “trespassing in a protected place” and is currently detained at a London police station.
Despite heightened security measures, intrusion attempts at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle are not uncommon. One of the most notable incidents occurred in 1982 when Michael Fagan managed to break into the bedroom of Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
The sentencing of Jaswant Singh Chail serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist even within the most fortified institutions. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of current security protocols and the need for their reassessment to safeguard the lives of public figures.
