Crime branch arrests Deep Sidhu again after Delhi court grants him bail

Actor-activist Deep Sidhu was arrested again by the crime branch on Saturday after a Delhi court granted him bail in connection with the Republic Day violence.

New Delhi:Actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu, who was granted bail earlier today, got arrested again by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police in connection with a case relating to violence in Red Fort on Republic Day. The actor was arrested on February 9. Since then, the accused was in custody with 14 days of remand in police custody.

Earlier on Saturday, Additional Sessions Judge Nilofer Abeeda Parveen allowed the bail plea of Sandeep Singh Sidhu alias Deep Sidhu.

The Court directed him to furnish a bail bond of Rs 30,000 and two sureties of like amount. The Court directed him to deposit his passport to investigating officer (IO) and mention his mobile number to be used by him. The court said that Sidhu shall ensure that the number is kept switched on throughout with location activated and shared with the IO at all times and shall telephonically confirm his location with the IO on the 1st and 15th of each calendar month.

Among other conditions, the Court directed him that he shall join the investigation as and when called upon to do so and in every manner as required by the IO, he shall scrupulously appear on every date of hearing before the Trial Court and shall not delay, defeat or interfere with the trial in any manner whatsoever, he shall not influence, threaten, intimidate, witnesses nor tamper with evidence in any manner whatsoever.

The Court also imposed the condition that the sureties and the accused shall not change the verified addresses and respective mobile phone numbers without prior intimation to the IO.

Deep Sidhu's defence counsel Abhishek Gupta, had said that there is nothing to show that Sidhu instigated the mob and he was an honest citizen who was part of a protest. The defence lawyer also pointed out that how is before the 25th January period relevant for violence at Red Fort.

Farmers have been protesting at the different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws: Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

(With inputs from agencies)