[Farmers Protests] Delhi Police not supposed to collect evidence only to prove guilt of Deep Sidhu: Delhi Court

Following an application filed by actor Deep Sidhu in relation to the violence that took place at Red Fort during the farmers' tractor rally held on January 26, a Delhi Court has said that the investigating officer is duty-bound to conduct proper investigation in the case in a fair and impartial manner (State vs Deep Sidhu).

. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Gajender Singh Nagar of the Tis Hazari Court has ordered,

" He (IO) is not supposed to collect the evidences only to prove the guilt of the accused (Sidhu), rather he has to bring true picture before the Court."

. Deep Sidhu, who is presently in judicial custody, had moved an application for issuing directions to the Delhi Police to include all videos and other material showing his innocence in the record of investigation and to conduct a fair and impartial investigation.

. Calling himself a peaceful protestor, Sidhu, through his counsel, told the Court that he was not an instigator of the incident at Red Fort on Republic Day, and that there is no video of him calling people to gather at Red Fort.

. He asserted that he was staying at a hotel in Murthal, from where he checked out at only 12:00 noon, by which time people had already reached Red Fort.

. Sidhu argued that his claim could be substantiated by the CCTV footage of that hotel, his call records, mobile location and the car navigation system.

. He also stated that there was CCTV footage of Red Fort wherein he could be seen helping the police by requesting the crowd to leave the rampart where they were trying to hoist the Nishan Sahib flag.

. The prosecution, on the other hand, argued that an accused could not guide the police to conduct investigation in a particular manner.

. After hearing the parties and perusing the record, the Court directed the police officials to investigate the points mentioned by Sidhu in order to unearth the truth.

. " Furthermore, appropriate action may be taken and appropriate sections may be added if accused is trying to mislead the investigation by fabricating false evidence, " the Court further clarified.

. Sidhu was arrested on February 9, in connection with an FIR registered for commission of offences under a host of Sections under the Indian Penal Code , Sections 25/27/54/59 of the Arms Act , and Section 3 of the Prevention of Destruction of Public Property Act.

. As per Delhi Police, Sidhu was the main instigator behind the violence that took place on Republic Day during the tractor rally organised by protesting farmers.

Delhi Police claimed that Sidhu instigated the mob to breach barricades with tractors and deviate from the approved route.

. After spending 14 days in police custody, Sidhu was remanded to 14-day judicial custody earlier this week.

. Assistant Public Prosecutor Rajiv Kamboj appeared for State. Advocates Abhishek Gupta and Vipun Bhardwaj appeared for Sidhu.

. Read the order:

[Farmers Protests] Delhi Police not supposed to collect evidence only to prove guilt of Deep Sidhu: Delhi Court

Aditi

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