No evidence to prove Sidhu's involvement in R-Day violence, says lawyer

Punjabi actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu is not behind the violence that erupted in the Capital on January 26, his lawyer said as Sidhu's bail plea came up at a Delhi court on Thursday. The matter is posted for hearing on April 12.

New Delhi: A court in Delhi adjourned the hearing in connection with Punjabi actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu's involvement in the violence that rocked the national capital on January 26 when the farmers took out a tractor rally. The court adjourned the matter for hearing on April 12 and sought transcripts of Sidhu's speeches.

Reading out a copy of FIR Lawyer of Sidhu Abhishek Gupta, during the hearing of bail application filed by Sidhu at a Delhi court said, "Sidhu is not a member of any farmers' organisation and he did not participate in the tractors' rally or took part in the violence that took place near Red Fort. There is no evidence to prove that Sidhu breached barricades or was a part of violence."

Sidhu's lawyer said that the activist was not present at the Red Fort when the violence broke out.

"The violence broke out at around 12 in the noon and Sidhu reached the protest site at 1.54 pm. However, Delhi police accused him of inciting violence. Instead, he was trying to quell the violence and calm the situation," his lawyer said in the court.

READ:EC issues notice to Mamata for seeking votes on 'communal' ground; TMC hits back

"The call for protest was by farmer leaders, he is not a member of farmer union, no call was given by him to go to Red Fort. There's no evidence that he has mobilised the crowd," he added.

His lawyer said that Deep Sidhu only posted a video on social media, for which he has been named in media as the main accused of the Republic Day violence, adding that media named him as main accused because he posted a video.

READ:Lockdown in MP's Chhindwara as COVID cases surge

"Sidhu was levelled by the media as the chief conspirator, he doesn't know why?" Gupta wondered.

Sidhu, according to police, was "a prominent player" behind the January 26 incident. The police in its report said that Sidhu's agenda to malign the image of the country and incited people to take part in the violent protests.

Sidhu was sent to 14-day judicial custody on February 23.

On January 26, thousands of protesting farmers who reached ITO from the Ghazipur border clashed with police. Many of them driving tractors reached the Red Fort and entered the monument. A religious flag was also hoisted.

READ:Of states having polls, only Bengal reported violence: Adhir