BARNALA, June 30 — Activist Lakha Sidhana, who was taken into preventive custody late Saturday night following a road rage incident involving police personnel near Tapa, was released on Sunday after being produced before a sub-divisional magistrate’s court, authorities said.
Confirming the development, DSP Satvir Singh said Sidhana and his associate Akashdeep were presented in court and released the same day. The incident, which quickly spiraled into a controversy, occurred after a vehicle overtook Sidhana’s car, prompting what police termed a “road rage-like” response.
According to the police, Sidhana allegedly believed the overtaking vehicle was a threat and chased it to the Handiaya police post, only to discover that the occupants were police officials. At the chowki, he reportedly recorded a video accusing the officers of being drunk and misbehaving with him.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows Sidhana claiming that the police hit his vehicle, used abusive language, and tried to snatch his phone as he recorded the incident. He also appealed to the Director General of Police (DGP), urging him to inspect the Handiaya police post, alleging that liquor bottles were present there.
However, DSP Satvir Singh dismissed the allegations, saying that medical tests conducted on the involved officers showed no traces of alcohol. “All cops involved were medically examined, and no signs of intoxication were found,” Singh said.
The incident has triggered renewed scrutiny of police-public confrontations in Punjab, especially as the video continues to generate attention online. While Sidhana has not yet responded further post-release, calls for an internal review of the incident have grown amid public speculation over the authenticity of the activist’s claims.
