Deep Sidhu taken to Red Fort to recreate R-Day's vandalism scene

Punjabi actor-activist Deep Sidhu and co-accused Iqbal Singh were taken to Red Fort on Saturday to help the Delhi Police recreate the scene of events the Mughal-era monument witnessed on Republic Day during the tractor parade held by protesting farmers.

Sidhu, once linked to BJP MP Sunny Deol, was arrested from Karnal bypass in Haryana on Monday night by a team of Delhi Police’s Special Cell. He was a “prominent player” behind the January 26 violence and vandalism at the Red Fort, according to the police.

On Tuesday, Sidhu was sent to seven-day police custody by a city court. An officer said Sidhu and another accused arrested Iqbal Singh were taken to Red Fort by a crime branch team to recreate the scene of events that unfolded on Republic Day at the monument.

The team probing the case will inspect the spot to ascertain and corroborate the route taken by them, their activities at the Red Fort and how things unfolded at the monument on Republic Day when the violence broke out, the officer added.

Iqbal Singh, carrying a reward of ₹50,000 on his arrest, was nabbed from Hoshiarpur in Punjab on Tuesday night by the northern range of Delhi Polices Special Cell.

The Delhi police had announced a cash reward of ₹1 lakh for information that can lead to the arrest of actor Sidhu, Jugraj Singh, Gurjot Singh and Gurjant Singh who hoisted flags at the Red Fort or were involved in the act.

A cash reward of ₹50,000 each was also announced for Buta Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Jajbir Singh and Iqbal Singh for allegedly instigating protesters. Of them, Sidhu, Iqbal Singh and Sukhdev Singh have been arrested. Police said raids are being conducted to nab the other accused.

Related news | Actor Deep Sidhu arrested in January 26 Red Fort violence case

Thousands of farmers protesting the Centre’s new agriculture laws had clashed with the police during their tractor parade on January 26.

Many of the protesters, driving tractors, reached the Red Fort and entered the monument. Some protesters even hoisted religious flags on its domes and a flagstaff at the ramparts, where the national flag is unfurled on Independence Day. Over 500 police personnel were injured and one protestor died on that day.

The farmers’ unions had blamed the 36-year-old Sidhu for the January 26 violence.

Sidhu had been linked with BJP MP Sunny Deol though the actor-turned-politician recently distanced himself from him. Sidhu reportedly managed his election campaign during the 2019 Lok Sabha election. In widely shared photos, he was seen with top leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, besides Deol.

(With inputs from agencies)