JOIN USDeep Sidhu, accused in Republic Day violence in Delhi, arrested
Punjabi actor-activist Deep Sidhu, who has been accused of instigating a group of farmers to enter the Red Fort during a tractor rally on Republic Day, has been arrested by Delhi Police.
Sidhu was arrested by the Special Cell, which is investigating the conspiracy behind the violence during the tractor rally by farmers protesting against three contentious farm laws on January 26. He was arrested from Zirakpur, between Chandigarh and Ambala.
Police earlier announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for anyone who provides information on him. Sidhu has been evading cops since the incident.
Read | R-Day violence: Rs 1 lakh reward for information on Deep Sidhu
Sidhu was in contact with a female friend who lives in California and used to make videos and send it to her, which she used to upload on his Facebook account. He has been evading arrest by changing his locations so far, a senior police official said.
He alleged that Sidhu was a prominent player behind the Republic Day violence. He had been instigating youngsters with his provocative speeches and stardom even when he was hiding from law, the official claimed.
Sidhu has been a controversial figure in the farmer protests and has been accused by farmer groups of attempting to derail their movement. Hitting back, he had claimed that the farmer leaders were backtracking on their protests.
According to the FIR in the Red Fort violence case, he was present at Red Fort when violence erupted at the iconic Mughal-era monument. Along with Sidhu, police had also named gangster-turned activist Lakka Sadana in the FIR.
The protesters had forced their way into the Red Fort after taking a detour of the pre-decided route on Republic Day and clashing with police. Sidhu, who had campaigned for BJP candidate and actor Sunny Deol during 2019 Lok Sabha polls, is also accused of handing over a flag to another person accused of hoisting it the Red Fort in place of the tricolour.
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Police had also claimed that protesters snatched two magazines with 20 live cartridges from two constables.
"The mob later hoisted different flags there. They also started creating nuisance at the rampart. The unruly mob was asked to come downstairs. They went to the Meena Bazar area to enter the Red Fort. When police tried to take them out of Lahore Gate, the mob became violent and attacked personnel. The mob thrashed the police personnel and threw them in the well," it said.
The FIR also accused the protesters of damaging a bus, a government gypsy and other vehicles. The mob robbed the anti-riots gear from the police personnel, the FIR claimed.