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This is an archive article published on April 20, 2021

Court sends Deep Sidhu to 14-day judicial custody

Sidhu’s lawyer Abhishek Gupta had opposed the police remand stating that the Delhi Police was “acting like emperors” and “are playing fraud with the criminal process”.

Deep Sidhu, Deep Sidhu bail, Farmers protests, Deep Sidhu lawyer's statement in court, Delhi news, Indian expressDeep Sidhu with officers of Special Cell in Janakpuri, New Delhi. (Express photo: Tashi Tobgyal/File)

A Delhi court rejected the Delhi Police application seeking remand of Punjabi actor-activist Deep Sidhu in a second FIR connected to the violence at Red Fort on Republic Day and, instead, remanded him to 14 days in judicial custody.

Sidhu’s lawyer Abhishek Gupta had opposed the police remand stating that the Delhi Police was “acting like emperors” and “are playing fraud with the criminal process”.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Gajender Singh Nagar reserved the order which will be announced at 4 pm on Monday. Sidhu’s bail application will also be heard on April 23.

A court had Saturday granted bail to Sidhu, arrested in connection with the violence at Red Fort on Republic Day, saying that the prosecution had sought to make an example of him since he was popular but that this “hazards a failure of justice”.

Hours later, the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch arrested Sidhu over the charge of damaging the monument. During the hearing on Monday, Gupta opposed the police remand and told the court that “the allegations in both FIRs are identical”.

“Bail was allowed (in first FIR) on merit and on consideration of everything. We are asking for immediate release. They are playing fraud with the criminal process… Any single day of incarceration is in violation of his Article 21… Timing and need of arrest is questionable… There is no role specifically attributed to anyone. Second FIR is also general,” Gupta told the court.

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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