New Delhi : Actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu, accused of violence at Delhi’s Red Fort on Republic Day, was arrested again on Saturday (April 17) by a Delhi court after he was granted bail hours ago. Sidhu has been arrested again by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police in a case registered by the archaeology department. According to Delhi Police, a religious flag was hoisted by some people on January 26 following the violence in the Red Fort. Some of them have been identified, of which Deep Sidhu is the main accused. During the debate on the bail plea recently, the defence said that his client was not involved in mobilizing the crowd. There is no evidence to prove that Sidhu has called upon the people to gather there. Arguing on deep sidhu’s bail plea in the Tis Hazari court, advocate Abhishek Gupta had said that the demonstration was organised by farmer leaders. His client is not a member of any kisan union. The allegations of crowd gathering and instigation against him are totally false.
Sidhu was not involved in any violent action. The defence counsel maintained that Sidhu had left before the violence erupted. Not only that, he had joined the police to control the violent mob. Being there does not mean that he too became part of the illegally assembled crowd. Referring to the evidence of Delhi Police, advocate Abhishek said that two videos have been produced as evidence by the police, in which Deep Sidhu seems to be pacifying the crowd. The lawyer had also said that if the judge wanted, he could show the video by running it in court. It was also argued that Sidhu is not only a Punjabi actor but also a lawyer. They have been made scapegoats because they are a well-known face. The defence also said that the case is being conducted on media trial. Sidhu’s mistake is that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but this mistake does not mean that he became a criminal. The defence said the police FIR said that the gate of the Red Fort was demolished at 12.30 pm and the crowd climbed on it while Sidhu had reached Delhi after 2 pm. Recently, Special Judge Nilofer Abida Parveen granted bail to Sidhu on a personal bond of Rs 30,000 and two bailees of the same amount. The court directed the Punjabi actor to submit his passport to the investigating officer and appear before the police station as well as the court if required. The court ordered Sidhu, who is currently lodged in Tihar jail, to join the police investigation if required.
