Red Fort Violence: Delhi Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Lakha Sidhana In Case Alleging Road Blockade, Destroying Barricades

A Delhi Court on Friday granted anticipatory bail to Lakha Sidhana, wanted by the Delhi Police in connection with an FIR alleging blocking of roads and destroying barricades during the Red Fort violence.

Relief is granted in FIR 39/ 2021, registered by the Crime Branch on allegation that the protestors disregarded the requests and lawful directions of the Police on Republic Day and allegedly, with common intention of moving towards Outer Ring Road, obstructed the police officials in the discharge of their official duties.

Earlier, he was granted pre-arrest bail in another FIR 96/2021.

Additional Sessions Judge Jagdish Kumar on Friday granted anticipatory bail to Sidhana, subject to his furnishing a bail bond in the sum of Rs. 50,000 with one surety of the like amount.

"The applicant/accused has admitted that he was part of mob. The applicant/accused has already been enlarged on bail in FIR No.96/2021 PS Kotwali (Crime) ie incident occurred at Lal Quilla ( as submitted). So considering the totality of the facts and circumstances, the order dated 29.06.2021 for granting interim protection is confirmed," the Court said.

The aforesaid FIR has been registered under Section 147 (Rioting), 148 (Rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (Unlawful assembly), 152 (Obstructing public servant when suppressing riot), 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 188 (Disobedience to order of public servant.), 269 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease danger­ous to life), 353 (Criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 307 (Attempt to murder), 395 (Dacoity), 397 (Robbery), 120B (Criminal Conspiracy) and 34 (Acts done in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC along with Section 3 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Earlier, the Court had pulled up the Delhi Police in the matter by observing that the investigation was done by the investigating authority as per it's convenience rather than following the mandate of law.

Observing that the reply filed by the Investigating Officer with respect to the 35 farm leaders named in the FIR was an attempt to sidetrack the issue, the Court took note of the fact that none of the said farm leaders were asked to join investigation by the Police despite a lapse of 8 months. 

Special Public prosecutor Madhukar Pandey appeared for the prosecution whereas Lakha Sidana was represented by Sr Advocate Ramesh Gupta along with Advocates Jaspreet Singh Rai, Vir Sandhu, Jasdeep Singh Dhillon and APS Mandir.