Iqbal Singh, wanted in Red Fort violence case, arrested

Iqbal Singh, who was wanted by the Delhi Police in the January 26 Delhi violence case, was taken into custody by Special Cell from Hoshiarpur, Punjab, on Tuesday night, ANI reported, quoting Delhi Police. The 45-year-old man’s videos, which went viral on social media, showed him threatening on-duty cops and persuading the protesters to on a rampage in the Red Fort. 

In one of the videos from the Republic Day violence, Singh can be seen threatening the cops that he would open fire at them if the gates of the monument are not opened peacefully. In another video, he can be heard saying that if the flag is not brought down peacefully, there would be blood shed. 

After he went missing, Delhi Police announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for anyone whose information leads to his arrest.

Singh reportedly worked as a raagi (a person who sings religious hymns) for over 20 years and also conducted religious prayers.

“His father is a retired Punjab Home Guard (PHG) jawan while he himself worked as raagi for over 20 years. They do not have any agricultural land and have no connection with farming, but Iqbal had made several visits to Delhi recently to participate in the farmers’ protest. As of now, he has no past criminal record as per our records but we are checking,” an official from Ludhiana police said, the Indian Express reported. 

Singh’s arrest comes a day after Punjabi actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu was taken into custody by the Special Cell in connection with the Republic Day violence.