NEW DELHI, India: Crime Branch of Delhi Police today prevented release of actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu hours after he was granted bail by the court in an FIR registered for Red Fort violence allegedly took place on January 26 during tractor parade taken out by the farmers in protest against three draconian farm laws.
After a long wait, Tees Hazari court today granted him bail on conditions of signing a “personal bond with two sureties of Rs. 30,000 each”. He was also asked to submit his passport and “cooperate” with investigating officers. News of bail made a big section of Punjabi society happy and his supporters were waiting for his release, but the Delhi Police spoiled the celebrations by arresting him again in another FIR registered by Archaeological Survey India (ASI), before he stepped out of Tihar Jail.
As per media reports, the FIR numbered 98/2020 was registered on a complaint made by the ASI for the damage allegedly caused to the Red Fort during the purported violence. However, the human rights activists and the lawyers have termed Delhi Police’s move a “conspiracy” hatched to keep Sidhu behind bars and an attack on his fundamental right to life and liberty.
Sidhu was first arrested on February 9 from Karnal district of Haryana. While granting him bail, an additional judge of the court stated that denying him bail would be in violation of his fundamental right to life and liberty.
As per the media reports, the Court also observed that there was only a “remote possibility” of Sidhu being able to interfere with the contents of the video recordings and footage of the alleged incidents which are on social media sites and form the basis of the prosecution case. “Sidhu was a well-known public figure with deep roots in society”, said the judge as reported by Bar and Bench Dot Com.
During the tractor parade, the agitating farmers reached Red Fort and they hoisted ‘Nishan Sahib’ (Khalsa flag) there. The Delhi Police stated in the FIRs registered against hundreds of the farmers that the agitators turned violent and injured them. Sidhu was termed as prime accused of this alleged violence.
So, Sidhu was arrested for several offences under the Indian Penal Code including rioting (147 and 148), unlawful assembly (149), attempt to murder (120-B), criminal conspiracy (120-B), assaulting or obstructing public servant (152), dacoity (395), culpable homicide (308) and disobedience to order promulgated by public servant (188) and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.
