Red Fort Violence: Delhi Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Man Accused Of Inciting Violence, Causing Vandalism In Two Cases

A Delhi Court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to one Jajbir Singh in two Red Fort violence cases who had allegedly incited violence and caused vandalism during the farmers protest that happened on the Republic Day this year.

A Sessions Court here granted anticipatory bail to Jajbir Singh in FIR 96 and 98 registered by the Delhi Police in connection with the violence that erupted on the Red Fort.

The development came after the Court had earlier this month granted interim protection from arrest to Singh in FiR 96/2021. Earlier, a proclamation was issued against him in the matter.

About FIR 96/2021

An FIR was registered 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.

About FIR 98/2021

The FIR was registered on the basis of a complaint made by Gunjan Kumar Srivastava, Superintendent Archaeologist alleging that a mob barged inside the Lahore Gate, damaged electrical fittings of illuminated lights, charged towards the Red Fort rampart and forcefully hoisted a flag on the pole where the Hon'ble PM hoists Indian National Flag on independence day.

The said FIR has been registered under sec. 147, 148, 149, 153, 452, 34 of IPC along with sec. 25, 27 of Arms Act, Sec. 3, 4 of PDPP Act, Sec. 2 of Prevention of Insults to National Honours Act and Sec. 30A, 30B of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

Stating that Red Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Monument which is protected under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, the FIR alleges that on the Republic Day at around 12:10 PM, about 25 tractors and 200-300 protestors entered Gyanpath area through Netaji Subhas Marg and attempted to push their way into the Red Fort through the Lahori Gate.

Deep Sidhu has been named as the primary conspirator in connection with the aforementioned FIR, however, a Delhi Court had granted bail to Sidhu in April this year.

Advocates Jasdeep S Dhillon appeared on behalf of the accused person before the Delhi Court.

Recently, the Court had granted bail to one Khempreet Singh in connection with the same FIR after observing that the Investigating Officer is not sure as to whether the act of carrying a Talwar or Pharsa by Sikha is an offence or that the presence of accused at Red Fort is a grave offence.

In a similar development, the Court had extended interim protection from arrest till July 20 of "Gangster turned activist" Lakha Sidhana, wanted by the Delhi Police in connection with his alleged role in the same FIR. However, the Court had adjourned the matter today and posted it for further hearing on July 22.