In its First Information Report (FIR) registered in connection with the Red Fort incident, the Delhi Police has also included the names of actor Punjabi Deep Sidhu and gangster-turned-social activist Lakha Sidhana. The protesters had snatched two magazines with 20 live cartridges each from the guns of two constables at Red Fort during violence on Republic Day, stated the FIR registered at Kotwali police station in North Delhi. The FIR has been transferred to Crime Branch for investigation.
The FIR regarding the Red Fort incident has has been filed at Kotwali police station. A total of 141 security personnel were injured during the violence at Red Fort.
According to the FIR, there was heavy security deployment in and around Red Fort due to the Republic Day.
“Police allowed the tractor rally of the farmers on four routes. They were not allowed to enter the Kotwali area. Around 12 pm on Tuesday, the north district control room informed that the farmers in huge numbers were heading towards Shanti Van Chowk from Rajghat. The barricades were already put in place due to the R-Day security. At 12.15 pm, 1,000 to 1,200 people came on 30 to 40 tractors, 125 to 130 bike and in private cars and reached near the barricades and insisting to go towards Red Fort,” stated the FIR.
“They were asked to head back towards their pre-decided routes for the rally, but the protestors did not pay heed to police warnings and broke the barricades with their tractors. They also tried to ran over their tractors on police personnel. Later, they broke the barricades and headed towards the Red Fort. When they were going towards the Red Fort, tableaux also passing through the Netaji Subhash Marg,” stated the FIR.
“The mob later hoisted different flags there. They also started creating nuisance on the rampart. The unruly mob was asked to come downstairs. They went to Meena Bazar area to enter into Red Fort. When police tried to take them out of Lahore Gate, the mob became violent and attacked personnel. The mob thrashed the police personnel and threw them in the wells,” stated the FIR.
“They damaged a bus, a government gypsy and other vehicles. The mob robbed the anti-riots gears -- cane stick, shields, body protectors, helmets etc from the police personnel. The mob has also taken hostage some police personnel near the Lahore gate public toilet. They also damaged the ticket counter,” the FIR added.
Police have invoked IPC sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 152 (assaulting or obstructing public servant when suppressing riot, etc), 397 (robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), and 307 (attempt to murder).
The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act and the Arms Act have been added in the FIR.
According to a senior police official, police has registered the case at Kotwali police station of North district under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and other legislations.
Provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act and the Arms Act have been added in the FIR.
“The police has invoked IPC sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 152 (assaulting or obstructing public servant when suppressing riot, etc), 397 (robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), and 307 (attempt to murder),” said police.
The Red Fort will remain closed for visitors from January 27 to January 31, according to an order issued by the Archaeological Survey of India.
While the order does not mention the reason behind the closure, it refers to earlier orders of January 6 and January 18 whereby the iconic monument was closed from January 19 to January 22 due to a bird flu alert.
