Delhi Court Transfers Deep Sidhu's Bail Plea To Additional Sessions Court, Hearing Scheduled For Tomorrow

District and Sessions Judge Girish Kathpalia on Wednesday transferred to the Court of Additional Sessions Judge Charu Aggarwal, the bail application moved by Deep Sidhu, accused in the Red Fort Violence case in connection with the farmer's protest tractor rally.

The matter will be heard by Additional Sessions Judge Charu Aggarwal tomorrow at 10 AM.

District and Sessions Judge Girish Kathpalia ordered the transfer after the matter was transferred to his Court on the order of Additional Sessions Judge Deepak Dabas to decide the jurisdiction of the appropriate Court for hearing the matter.

The development came after ASJ Dabas observed at the outset that since the earlier proceedings in the matter were heard by other Courts, it would be appropriate for the District and Sessions Judge to decide which Court will hear the bail application further.

Advocate Abhishek Gupta will be arguing on behalf of the accused, Deep Sidhu tomorrow in the Court.

During the course of proceedings today, Advocate Gupta appearing on behalf of accused Deep Sidhu submitted before the Court that "He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. This is a media trial going on. If I tell you the facts, you will be shocked."

Furthermore, it was submitted that "We have earlier moved an application under sec. 156(3) of CrPC before other Magistrate. There is a benefit to your lordships that orders as regards to other accused show that my role is lesser."

Background

An FIR was registered against Deep Sidhu by the Crime Branch (Central Delhi) of the Delhi Police in connection with the violence that broke out at Red Fort on Republic Day under sec. 147, 148, 149, 152, 186, 353, 332, 307, 308, 395, 397, 427 and 188 of the IPC read with sec. 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act, 1959 and sec. 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act 1984. Sidhu has been accused of instigating violence as being the alleged "main instigator" in the case.

In other news, CMM Gajendra Singh Nagar vide order dated 26th February 2021 directed the police officials to conduct fair and impartial investigation to 'unearth the truth' in the matter regarding Sidhu's involvement in the case. The development came after Advocate Abhishek Gupta had moved an application in the Court seeking directions to the investigating agency to call, preserve and make part of the investigation the other records and material pertaining to the case.

During the course of hearing, it was submitted by Advocate Gupta appearing for Sidhu that "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. Wheareas there are videos of other people also asking to come at the Red Fort. They have considered my video but they must also consider videos of others too. I am not the main accused. Before I reached there, people had already broken the barricades. I was trying to pacify the crowd and help the police."

However, another application was also moved by Deep Sidhu seeking security in jail premises which was withdrawn after Advocate Gupta informed the judge that Sidhu was already being kept in a separate cell.