NEW DELHI: Delhi Police has announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh each for information leading to arrest of Deep Sidhu, Jugraj Singh, Gurjot Singh and Gurjant Singh, and Rs 50,000 each for arrest of Jajbir Singh, Buta Singh, Sukhdev Singh and Iqbal Singh for their alleged involvement in the January 26 violence at the Red Fort.
Sidhu, a Punjabi actor-turned-activist; Jugraj, Gurjot and Gurjant allegedly either hoisted flags at Red Fort or were involved in the act. Investigating officials have identified them on the basis of mobile video clippings and CCTV footage. At least 200 experts from National Forensic Science Laboratory have been roped in to help police with evidence.
Another suspect, Dharmendra Singh Herman, who was allegedly instigating the crowd to unfurl the flag while sitting atop his car, was arrested by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police on Wednesday. He was also telecasting the assault live on social media.
Delhi Police had given permission for a tractor rally to the farmers protesting against the central farm laws, but many of the protesters did not stick to the routes and hundreds of tractors ended up at the Red Fort. Officials privy to the investigations said Jugraj had hoisted a religious flag and a farmer union one atop the fort.
Many protesters had even climbed up the domes and damaged the property inside, including scanning machines. A video of security personnel jumping into the fort ditch as protesters clashed with them had also gone viral on social media. So far, at least 123 people have been arrested and 44 cases registered in connection with the violence across the capital.
Even as police officials carried out raids in Punjab and Bihar, Sidhu recently posted a video on social media, in which he said he had left everything behind for the protest. “What wrong did I do? I left my work, my relations and came to support you in your fight. I was raising a voice for you all, now I have been labelled as a traitor...”
Claiming that there were five lakh people at the Red Fort, but only he was called a traitor, Sidhu added, “Did I carry people on my back and bring them? I am not bothered by what the government thinks, but I am hurt about what you all are thinking.”