Actor Deep Sidhu, Accused in R-Day Violence, Dies in Road Accident in Haryana

Sidhu had claimed responsibility for hoisting the Nishan Sahib at the Red Fort on Republic Day 2021.

A picture of Deep Sidhu released after his arrest.

(Photo Courtesy: Delhi Police)

Video Input: Sunny Malik

Video Producer: Shohini Bose

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman

Actor Deep Sidhu, who appeared in numerous Punjabi language films, died in a road accident in Haryana on Tuesday, 15 February, after his car collided with a truck on the on the Kundli–Manesar–Palwal (KMP) Expressway.

The accident took place at around 9 pm.

Speaking to the media outside the Sonepat civil hospital, SP Rahul Sharma said: "We were informed around 9.30 pm that an accident took place at KMP and that a man and his female friend have been brought to the hospital for treatment. We were told that the male passenger had succumbed to the injuries and the woman was undergoing treatment. The man was identified as Deep Sidhu. He was travelling since afternoon and the accident took place at KMP."

Sharma further said that the two were travelling to Bhatinda and the driver of the truck is yet to be taken into custody.

Police sources told The Quint that Sidhu was driving a Scorpio which rammed into a parked truck at KMP. The truck driver had fled from the spot after the accident, as per the police.

The Sonepat Police reached the spot after receiving information about the accident. The police took the body of the deceased in its possession and sent it to Civil Hospital Sonepat for a post-mortem. The matter is under investigation, Sharma said.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi took to Twitter to express condolences.

"Deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate demise of renowned actor and social activist, Deep Sidhu. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family and fans," Channi tweeted.

Sidhu had come to limelight last year after he claimed responsibility for hoisting the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag) at the Red Fort on Republic Day 2021, during a tractor rally led by protesting farmers against the Centre's agricultural laws.

The Delhi Police had arrested Sidhu in connection with the case on 9 February 2021. He was granted bail on 16 April but hours later, he was arrested by Delhi Police’s Crime Branch over the charge of damaging the monument.

He was granted bail in the second case on 26 April.

The actor was born in a Jatt Sikh family in Punjab's Sri Muktsar Sahib district in 1984. He had started his acting career at 31, and became most famous for Jora 10 Numbaria (2017).