Delhi Police claimed that Red Fort violence by farmers on January 26 was a conspiracy to capture the place and convert it into a new protest site

News Desk: The Delhi Police, in its charge sheet, has claimed that the violence at Red Fort on January 26 as part of the farmers’ agitation against the three farm laws by the Centre was a “conspiracy to capture the place and convert it into a new protest site”, sources said.

The sources said the police charge sheet has also alleged that the violence was part of a “deep-rooted and premeditated conspiracy” and an occasion like Republic Day was chosen to tarnish the image of the Central government at home and abroad.

To support its contention, the sources said, the Police have also provided the court data on the sudden increase in the number of purchases of the tractors and trolleys in Haryana and Punjab during a few days before the planned rally in Delhi by the agitating farmers.

The Charge sheet in connection with the violence at Red Fort on Republic Day has named actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu and others as accused in the case. It was filed before a magistrate in Tis Hazari on May 17. The Court listed it for May 28 for further hearing and taking cognizance of the charges.

On Republic Day, protestors allegedly did not follow the prearranged route and broke barricades to enter Delhi, clashed with police, and vandalised property in several parts of the national capital during the farmers’ tractor rally. They also entered the Red Fort and unfurled their flags from its ramparts.

Farmers have been protesting at the different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws: Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

A total of 43 different cases were registered with the Crime Branch, Special Cell, and local police stations and over 150 persons were arrested in connection with various cases relating to Republic Day violence.