Delhi Police Special Cell on Wednesday morning announced that Iqbal Singh, another accused in the Red Fort riots case has been arrested and taken into custody from Hoshiarpur in Punjab last night. Iqbal Singh carried a reward of Rs 50,000 on his arrest, announced by Delhi Police last week.
Iqbal's arrest comes hours after the Delhi Police cell arrested Punjabi actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu from Zirakpur area between Chandigarh and Ambala for inciting farmers to indulge in violent acts during the tractor rally on Republic Day at Red Fort.
In the videos from Republic Day violence, Iqbal Singh is seen threatening police who were on duty at the Red Fort, saying that he will open fire at them with the police's weapons. Reportedly, he was heard saying that if the gates of the Red Fort are not opened peacefully, then weapons would be used and there will be bloodshed. The video was even streamed live on Facebook.
Deep Sidhu, named in the FIR registered in connection with the violence at Red Fort, was arrested after a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to his arrest was announced by the police.
According to the FIR, the actor was present at the Red Fort when protesters hoisted religious flags and a farmers' flag was put on the flagpole at the historic monument which is reserved for the Indian National flag.
Gangster-turned-activist Lakka Sadana has also been named in the FIR.
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Delhi police had published photographs of rioters involved in the R-Day violence. The suspects were identified through facial analytics and about 42 people were named in the case with the help of CCTV footage provided by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), while 20 suspects were identified from WhatsApp videos. Sidhu was produced in Delhi's Tis Hazari court, where the police asked for his 10-day remand and the court has sent him to 7-day police remand.
Mo Dhaliwal, Khalistani supporter has called Sidhu's arrest as punishment for disagreement with the government. “Our brother & activist Deep Sidhu was arrested for his presence in farmers' protest at Red Fort. Dissent against 'largest democracy in the world' lands you in jail where you are likely to experience abuse and torture, he wrote on Twitter questioning the arrest.