Actor's custody extended in Red Fort breach

Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu was arrested on February 9 for his role in the breach of Delhi's iconic Red Fort by protesting farmers on Republic Day.

New Delhi: Tis-Hazari Court on Tuesday extended Punjabi actor-turned-singer Deep Sidhu's police custody by seven more days in the Republic Day violence case.

Sidhu, arrested from Karnal bypass in Haryana on February 9, has been touted by Delhi Police as the 'main instigator' of the violence which took place on the Republic Day at the Red Fort.

The court has also extended the custody of Sukhdev Singh, a co-accused in the case, to 14 days.

Delhi Police Crime Branch is probing if the violence was part of a larger conspiracy. On February 9, the court had sent him to seven-days custody of the police for interrogation.

While in custody, Sidhu along with another accused Iqbal Singh were taken to the Red Fort to recreate the scene of events that unfolded at the historic monument on the Republic Day.

Delhi Police had said that it was clear in the video that Deep Sidhu was entering the Red Fort with flags and sticks.

READ:Red Fort plotter says India Gate also a target

The last custody was sought for multitude of reasons, including to visit Mumbai, Punjab and Haryana to explore links, identify and arrest his supporters and recover phones with different SIM cards used by him.

The police had said that Sidhu provoked people, causing people to damage public property. Those who handle Sidhu's social media will also be investigated.

On January 26, protesting farmers had clashed with the police during the tractor rally against three farm laws. During the clash, a section of protesters had entered the Red Fort and hoisted a religious flag.

Deep Sidhu was arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police from Karnal in Haryana on February 9.

IANS INPUTS