R-Day Violence: Actor Deep Sidhu Arrested

The SWR Range of the Special Cell has arrested actor Deep Sidhu who was accused of instigating a group of farmers to storm the Red Fort on Republic Day and has been named in an FIR by Delhi Police.

Sidhu was arrested on Tuesday from Zirakpur area in Punjab by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The Delhi Police had on earlier announced a cash reward of Rs. 1lakh for any information that could help arrest Deep Sidhu and three others over the violence at the Red Fort on Republic Day.

Deep Sidhu's arrest has been made by a team of Delhi Police's Special Cell, said Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell).

Police have said the last few videos of Deep Sidhu were uploaded by his friend from California so that the authorities couldn't track his location. Delhi Police sources have said Deep Sidhu was in contact with a woman friend who lives in California. He used to make videos and send it to her, and she used to upload them on his Facebook account, reported India Today.

Cash reward of Rs 50,000 each was also announced for Buta Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Jajbir Singh and Iqbal Singh for allegedly instigating protesters, said Delhi Police.

The reward of Rs 1 lakh was announced on Sidhu, Jugraj Singh, Gurjot Singh and Gurjant Singh who hoisted flags at the Red Fort or involved in the act.

Since he was accused of instigating the farmers, Deep Sidhu had gone missing and released several videos on his social media account to defend himself.

Deep Sidhu released a new video from hiding and could be seen crying and venting anger against the farmer unions and Punjabis for branding him a "traitor". "I have raised the voice of Punjab and its people. I was branded a traitor. There were 5 lakh people at the Red Fort, including singers and leaders, but only one (I) was singled out," Sidhu said.