Delhi Court grants interim protection to Lakha Sidhana in Red Fort violence case, stays arrest

A Delhi Sessions Court on Saturday granted interim protection to Lakha Sidhana, an accused in the case concerning the violence that took place at Red Fort on January 26 during the farmers' tractor rally..The Sessions Court has directed that no coercive action be taken against Lakha Sidhana until the next date of hearing in the anticipatory bail plea moved by him..“At this stage, it is not being alleged that the accused in any manner indulged in violence or committed any violent act on 26.01.2021, adjournment is being sought today by the prosecution, and hence taking into consideration primarily the role being attributed, at this stage interim protection is being granted by the accused till the next date of hearing", the Court said. .The Counsel appearing for the Sidhana argued that the only allegation attributed to him is from 4 January, when he allegedly addressing a gathering and exhorted them to reach the Red Fort. Even the police admitted that he never entered the Red Fort on January 26, it was argued..It was also submitted that out of the 16 accused arrested in connection with this case, 24 have been granted regular bail. Therefore, Lakha Sidhana should be treated on parity, it was contended..On being asked by the Court about the specific role of the Sidhana in the Red Fort incident, the Substitute Additional Public Prosecutor asked for an adjournment to receive instructions and go through the records, due to unavailability of the Additional Public Prosecutor..The Court while granting protection to Sidhana observed that at this stage the role attributed to the accused is of addressing and instigating the protestors to reach ring road, which was not a part of the authorised route..It was also noted by the Court that Sidhana was seen in some videos along the ring road and that his presence at the Red Fort is being alleged based on a CDR Analysis..The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 3..Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta and Advocates Jasdeep S Dhillon, Vir Sandhu, Jaspreet Rai and APS Mander appeared for the accused. The State was represented by Substitute Additional Public Prosecutor, MK Shukla.