Red Fort Violence Case: Delhi Court Takes Cognizance Of Delhi Police's Chargesheet Against Deep Sidhu And 15 Others

A Delhi Court has taken cognizance of the Delhi Police's chargesheet filed in relation to the Red Fort violence case against Deep Sidhu and 15 others. However, the Court has clarified that the cognizance is taken under all the sections except for the offences wherein sanctions have not been recived yet under the Arms Act, Epidemics Act and Disaster Management Act.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Gajender Singh Nagar also stated that all the accused persons need to appear before the Court through VC mode on June 29. 

"I'm taking cognizance of all the offences except for those wherein sanctions are not received yet. Some of the sanctions under Arms Act, Epidemics Act and Disaster Management Act have not been received yet. All the accused persons need to appear through VC on June 29. For the accused persons who are in jail, warrants will be sent to Jail authorities." the Court said.

The Court marked the presence of Additional Public Prosecutor, Inspector IO Pankaj Arora and Advocate Virender Pal Singh Sandhu appearing on behalf of Harjot, one of the accused persons and Advocate Jasdeep Dhillon appearing for Deep Sidhu.

The development came after the Court had last month adjourned the matter after hearing Inspector Pankaj Arora who informed the Court that the process of receiving sanctions has been initiated and assured the Court that it will be completed soon.

The chargesheet, running over 3000 pages, in connection with the Red Fort Violence case was filed by the Special Investigation Ream of the Delhi Police on May 17 before the Masgitrate in Tis Hazari Court. The Chargesheet was filed against actor turned activist Deep Sidhu and 15 others.

According to the Delhi Police's chargesheet, it has been stated that there was a "conspiracy to capture the Red Fort" and make it a "protest site" for the agitating farmers protesting against the three farm laws.

Moreover, it has also been stated that there was a well planned conspiracy to commit violence and that the occasion of Republic Day was chosen to tarnish the image of Central Government, both nationally and internationally.

Footages from various sources including video clips shot from drones, photographers, social media and CCTV cameras have been attached in the chargesheet to portray the alleged violence caused by the protestors.

The Police has chargesheeted them under sec. 147, 148, 149, 152, 186,269, 279, 353, 332, 307, 308, 395, 427, 188, 452, 333, 201, 120B and 34 of Indian Penal Code; sec. 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act; sec. 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act; sec. 30 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act; sec. 3 of Epidemic Diseases Act and sec. 51 of the Disaster Management Act.