Red Fort Vandalism: Deep Sidhu, Lakha Sidhana Named In Delhi Police FIR; Know Their Alleged Roles In R-Day Chaos

The flag-hoisting incident at the ramparts of the national monument has particularly outraged people as the national tricolour is unfurled by the prime minister on Independence Day at the same spot.

Image: PTI

Farmers' Tractor Rally: Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu and the gangster-turned-social activist Lakha Sidhana have been named by the Delhi Police in an FIR in connection with the unprecedented violence on Republic Day and the Red Fort incident.

The Delhi Police has registered the case at Kotwali police station of North district under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and other legislations, they said.

The internal premises of the historic building was vandalized as the protesters went on a rampage destroying ticket counter, breaking glasses, and everything that came into their way. Some of the protesters climbed the walls of the fort and installed their flag at the flagstaff.

The Red Fort will remain closed for visitors from January 27 to January 31, according to an order issued by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). While the order does not mention the reason behind the closure, it refers to earlier orders of January 6 and January 18 whereby the iconic monument was closed from January 19 to January 22 due to a bird flu alert.

The flag-hoisting incident at the ramparts of the national monument has outraged people as the national tricolour is unfurled by the prime minister on Independence Day at the same spot.

Provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act and the Arms Act have been added in the FIR.

What was their alleged role?

Farmer Unions have accused Deep Sidhu and Lakha Sidhana inciting the farmers to take a different route and instigated them to resort to violence. Sidhu is accused of planting the "Nishan Sahib" which is the Sikh religious flag at the Red Fort. It was this particular act which triggered massive social emdia outrage as images of protesters armed with sticks occupying the national monument where national tricolour is unfurled by the prime minister on Independence Day, surfaced online.

In a post on Facebook, Deep Sidhu defended the act, saying the protesters did not remove the national flag but put up the "Nishan Sahib" as a symbolic protest.

Charges against Deep Sidhu & Lakha Sidhana:

The police has invoked IPC sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 152 (assaulting or obstructing public servant when suppressing riot, etc), 397 (robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), and 307 (attempt to murder), they said.

Thousands of protesting farmers who reached ITO from the Ghazipur border clashed with police. Many of them driving tractors reached the Red Fort and entered the monument.

37 Farmers Leaders named in FIR

The farmer leaders named in the FIR include Medha Patkar, Yogendra Yadav, Darshan Pal, Gurnam Singh Chanduni, Rakesh Tikait, Kulwant Singh Sandhu, Satnam Singh Pannu, Joginder Singh Ugraha, Surjeet Singh Phool, Jagjeet Singh Dalewal, Balbir Singh Rajewal and Harinder Singh Lakhoval.