R-Day violence: Delhi court transfers bail plea of Deep Sidhu

New Delhi, Mar 31 (Agency) A Delhi court on Wednesday transferred the bail plea filed by actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu, who is accused in connection with the violence on January 26 during farmers’ tractor parade, after a jurisdictional issue cropped up during the hearing. Additional Sessions Judge Deepak Dabas transferred the matter back to District and Sessions Judge (Headquarters), noting all the related matters have been heard by another judge.

“The said bail application be listed before the same court to avoid confusion. The matter shall be listed today at 2 pm before the District and Sessions Judge (HQ) for further directions,” the bench stated. Sidhu, who was arrested by the police for his alleged role in inciting people to resort to violence at the Red Fort on Republic Day, had moved the court seeking to include all videos and other materials on record which allegedly proved his innocence. Currently, he is undergoing judicial custody.

The court has also asked the Delhi Police to respond to the bail application filed by Sidhu at the earliest. During the hearing, Advocate Abhishek Gupta appearing on behalf of Sidhu said, “I never urged people to go to the Red Fort. Nor did I call anyone to gather at the Red Fort. You have all the videos. Whereas there are videos of other people also asked to come at the Red Fort.” “This is a media trial going on. If I tell you the facts, you will be shocked,” Mr Gupta said in his submission. Sidhu is among the 143 people so far arrested in connection with as many as 44 cases registered regarding the violence in the national capital on Republic Day.