New Delhi: A Delhi court on Saturday extended the interim protection from arrest to alleged gangster-turned-activist Lakha Sidhana till July 20, in connection with Republic Day violence case, observing that it did not want 'Jail Bharo Andolan'. A man, Khempreet Singh, accused of assaulting a policeman on duty with a spear, was also granted bail.
While extending protection to Sidhana, the court said that it did not want to intervene in things where fundamental rights are involved.
"We (court) do not want to start Jail Bharo Andolan. These are political issues. If they [protesters] wanted to highlight the issue, are they wrong?" Tis Hazari's Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau said while granting interim relief to Sidhana till next date of hearing, July 20.
The court, which was was hearing Sidhana anticipatory bail plea, directed him to join the investigation.
On June 26, Sidhana was granted interim protection from arrest till July 3.
The court asked why is police seeking his custodial interrogation. Delhi Police replied that his custody is required to recover his phone and found out details of whom he had called for alleged unlawful gatherings in Red Fort on January 26.
Meanwhile, additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau, while granting bail to Khempreet Singh, said neither the photographs and videos relied upon by the prosecution are very clear nor accused can be seen attacking anyone in them.
"The charge sheet against the accused has already been filed and he is no longer required for investigation," the judge said, adding that an accused is "deemed innocent till proved guilty".
She further said that most of these offences in the case are bailable in nature and 14 accused out of the 18 arrested, including main conspirators Deep Sandhu and Iqbal Singh, are already out on bail.
The police have named 16 persons including Deep Sidhu, Iqbal Singh, Maninder Moni and Khempreet as accused in the case. Delhi Police has registered a case under various charges dealing with sedition, rioting, violence, attempt to murder and dacoity. Later case was transferred to the crime branch of Delhi police.
