Deep Sidhu granted bail

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 17

Actor-activist Deep Sidhu, who was arrested in connection with the Red Fort violence on Republic Day, has been granted bail by a Delhi court.

According to an agency report, Special Judge Neelofer Abida Perveen granted relief to the accused yesterday on a personal bond of Rs 30,000 and two sureties of a like amount.

Sidhu was arrested on February 9 in connection with the Red Fort violence on Republic Day during a farmers’ tractor parade against the Centre’s three new farm laws.

Quoting the order, the report said the court noted the accused was in custody since February 9, with 14 days of police remand. It also said a police plea for further incarceration for the sole purpose of voice sampling was not justifiable.

“The prosecution’s case rests largely on the contents of video recordings and footage available and accessible to all on social media sites in public domain, and there is therefore a remote possibility of the accused-applicant being able to interfere with the content on such platform,” the judge is reported to have said.

Rejecting the prosecution’s contention that the accused might abscond if released on bail, the court is reported to have said: “The accused as per the own case of the prosecution is a well-known public figure with deep roots in society and such apprehensions are capable of being allayed by imposing stricter conditions.”

It further said: “It would violate and infringe the fundamental right to life and liberty guaranteed to the accused, if the accused is denied bail in the present case on such nature of accusations and material only on the ground that the investigating agency is yet to establish the identity of the several other members of the unlawful assembly.”

Granting bail, the judge directed the accused to deposit his passport with the investigating officer and appear in the police station as well as the court as and when required.