Actor Deep Sidhu, who was accused in the violence at Red Fort complex in Delhi on Republic Day, was again arrested today hours after he was granted bail by a Delhi court.
This arrest was made pursuant to an FIR numbered 98/2020, registered on a complaint made by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the damage caused to the Red Fort during the violence that took place on January 26.
The 36-year-old was arrested on February 9 from Haryana’s Karnal, about 100 km from Delhi, days after scenes of chaos unfolded at the Red Fort. He was accused by farmer leaders of trying to derail their protest against three controversial farm laws. Deep Sidhu was accused of fuelling chaos and clashes as protesters went rogue on January 26 and defied agreed routes and schedules, forcing their way into the Red Fort.
As per the prosecution, Sidhu is the main conspirator behind the violence at Red Fort. Relying on a series of interviews given by Sidhu, the prosecution said that his intention was to create violence and disregard the national flag.
The Additional Sessions Judge at Tis Hazari Courts today granted bail to Deep Sidhu while observing that denying him bail would be in violation of his fundamental right to life and liberty. The court had granted him bail on conditions of signing a “personal bond with two sureties of ₹ 30,000 each.” He was also asked to submit his passport and “cooperate” with investigating officers.
However, before he stepped out of Tihar jail, Delhi Police’s Crime Branch arrested him again in a case filed by the Archaeology Department.
Last week, his lawyer told a Delhi court that “there is no evidence that he mobilised the crowd to Red Fort and called for the protest. He has not indulged in a single act of violence. He left even before violence erupted. He was even helping the police, he hasn’t been a part of violence. Only people who have indulged in violence can be prosecuted. Mere presence does not make him a part of unlawful assembly.”
Shortly after the violence on Republic Day, Deep Sidhu had posted videos on Facebook defending himself even as teams of the Delhi Police hunted for him. The case was handed over by the Special Cell to the Crime Branch.
